Pelting along as fast as your bones will allow only works for so long. FIDLAR, though, appeared to be one band willing to test the boundaries of the theory. Until now.
With their debut's heady buzz of ripping garage punk and chemical experimentation still ringing in the ears of a legion of beer-soaked fans, 'Too' represents a change in approach big enough to raise 'sell out' banners among the more fickle of them.
Zac Carper's clean, his drug abuse openly and honestly discussed prior to this record's arrival. He continues to do that here across a slate of songs displaying pop smarts, swirling surf influences and a will to experiment that has clearly developed with time.
Producer Jay Joyce, the first the band have worked with, helps to wrangle this into place, making their stylistic choices work. The buzzsaw guitars are still here and still rule, but they are twisted into a bluesy stomp on Punks and corralled into a slacker pop gem on 40oz. On Repeat.
Carper’s discussion of his addiction on Overdose is dark and unsettlingly framed by his almost whispered vocals, contrasting with a song like West Coast, which spins lost evenings and disappointments across a skyscraper of a hook. Similarly, Leave Me Alone’s chorus hits like a surprise left thanks to the spiralling frustration of the verse.
There are moments here when their desire to do what they feel results in couple of misses, to balance out a bunch of hits. Sober is a little too out there for its own good despite providing a spiteful, self-reflective bed for some of the record’s crucial lyrics and follows up a song, Generation Why, that can’t quite move beyond its louche verses thanks to a played out chorus.
As complaints go, they don’t amount to that much and are, in fact, pummeled into their place by the record’s closing salvo, which includes a God Gave Rock and Roll To You for misspent youth in Stupid Decisions.
‘Too’ is different and we get it, that’s scary. But get involved, take it for a spin and soon enough it’ll be like having an old friend around to swap yarns with. Open in a way that many bands simply can’t be, it’s the record that FIDLAR had to make.
Check out our recent feature about FIDLAR and their new record here.
Fidlar Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Tue November 10 2015 - BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Wed November 11 2015 - MANCHESTER Ritz
Thu November 12 2015 - GLASGOW Glasgow Garage
Sat November 14 2015 - LONDON THE FORUM
Sun November 15 2015 - BIRMINGHAM Institute
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