Formed at Vassar College in the spring of 2016 the members of Fahrenheist went through a few names changes before they decided to settle on their current name. Albatross is the band’s first release. This Seattle quartet mixes up alternative “grit” and pop sensibilities with flavors of west coast indie rock and other diverse influences. Their musical style is upbeat and joyfully energized, and they’ve been compared to other bands like Spoon and Cage the Elephant. And when the band’s music is matched with heavier themes of loss, inadequacy, loneliness and depression – Fahrenheist’s style comes off quite refreshing. Band mates include Cole Fisher, Ben Luongo, Sam Gilbert and Tieren Costello.
“Chalk It Up” begins things off with a cheerful sound and poppy vibe with lots of great tongue-twisting lyrics that suggest being fed up with the way things are and calling it a day. “Sights and Sounds” has some fantastic bass lines and old school beats and chords that give this song a new wave feel from the early ‘80s. I enjoyed hearing the off drum beats in “Golden Eye” as well as how the bass, lead and rhythm guitars melodically jived together so well and how the instruments were arranged. “White Noise” gets fat and tasty with low driving bass lines and drum beats – with just a few slaps of the bass – and a “wah-wah” effect with catchy riffs on the guitar. “Shineback” switches gears with a jazzy lounge feel, complete with some pretty piano work. This one kind of reminded me a little of Ben Folds Five meets Lou Reed on guitar, strangely enough, but it easily became a favorite from the album. “Tides” sounds off with a deep bass-drum combo and some classic guitar grooves. Overall, “Tides” sounds like what would happen if a ’60s classic pop sound met up with say, Franz Ferdinand. The ending is especially cool. I loved the energy and faster rhythms on “Inertia” especially when the drummer kicks it up on the snare and the guitarist rips it up like some Ace Frehley guitar lick. This became another favorite of mine. “For What It’s Worth” features a jumpy guitar rhythm inside a happy sounding melody, that it was hard to dislike this one – especially for one who likes backup singing and an extra guitar solo now and then. “Lift Off” is the band’s only instrumental song and I wish it went on much longer than it did. Maybe there’ll be a part two on the group’s next album? “Sunburn” features again some great melodic bass lines and lively guitar riffs centered on lyrics about the loss of a relationship, depression or a combination of them both. “November” was by far my most favorite because of its full and gorgeous piano taking center stage but also because I thought it made a clear break from the more indie-pop approach that the rest of the songs have. Although, “November” makes a great choice to end the band’s debut, I thought it was strong enough to stand on its own, too. And besides, how often do you see a band use the word enthalpic in their songwriting? Everything considered, I thought Fahrenheist’s sound and style was very professional and their songwriting meaty and well written.
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