There's quite the buzz building around UK band Fanfarlo and their new album Reservoir. They've worked hard promoting it both live and through innovative use of new media. But is the album worthy of the hype that's being generated?
The band makes use of pianos, strings, and horns alongside traditional rock instrumentation to create songs with a decidedly Brit Rock bent. This gives tracks like "I'm a Pilot" a lush, ornate quality. Unfortunately, this also serves to sterilize the music. Too often the songs end up sounding too similar to each other. In fact it brings to mind a band like Keane, which is not a good thing.
There are a few tracks that do serve to break the mold. The propulsive "Luna" is the most energetic song on the record. "The Walls Are Coming Down" serves up the album's lone potential singalong. "Drowning Men" is built on an infectious roll and waft, while "Harold T. Wilkins Or How To Wait For a Very Long Time" is downright rambunctious.
Unfortunately, the cuts more often than not, end up being in the vein of "Comets", a song that smolders without ever flaming up. At the end of the day Reservoir is pleasant background noise, but not an album engaging enough to listen to repeatedly.
Until July 4th Fanfarlo are offering Reservoir for download from their website for the cool sum of $1.
Best tracks: "Luna", "Harold T. Wilkins Or How To Wait For a Very Long Time"
Track listing for Reservoir:
- I'm A Pilot
- Ghosts
- Luna
- Comets
- Fire Escape
- The Walls Are Coming Down
- Drowning Men
- If It Is Growing
- Harold T. Wilkins or How To Wait For a Very Long Time
- Finish Line
- Good Morning Midnight
5.0/10
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