Fighting Chance! - Fighting Chance!

Fighting Chance!

Fighting Chance!
​self-released; 2023

By Dan Weston
​

Fighting Chance! is a Toronto indie/alternative rock outfit founded by brothers James and Joe Flanagan in fall of 2021. According to the band, “The name Fighting Chance! was lifted from a ’90s self-defense-for-kids VHS that a friend had to watch in school. A rather poetic google definition of the expression captures the band's mission statement: “the possibility of success if great effort is made." They recently released a five song self-titled EP Fighting Chance!.

They also mention “Their music mixes sunny homages to ’90s radio rock with slick, power pop anthems, containing influences from Pavement, Weezer and Nada Surf to ’60s acts like Simon & Garfunkel and the Kinks.”

They get going with “Cauliflower” and it definitely had that ’90s vibe they mentioned. The music sounded somewhere between power pop, alternative and pop punk. There’s a coming of age type of quality that was easy to appreciate. The song is catchy and light, similar to Weezer. I loved the explanation about what this song is about. They say this about the song, “The song ‘Cauliflower’ is a classic case in which an early song title from a throwaway lyric has such a distinct phonetic quality to it that it becomes irreplaceable. As such, on ‘Cauliflower’ lyricist James Flanagan had to construct a story about how one man’s meal prep conjures up a storm or sensory flashbacks of his previous romantic relationship.” Musically, the song is straightforward relying on major and minor chords and 4/4 time.

“Summertime” felt like it leaned heavily into pop punk especially on the verse. The band Blink 182 came to mind but I would also say the raw sort of delivery aligned with a band like Car Seat Headrest. “Twisted” was a highlight. I loved the drones of distortion and the more lush and shoegaze type of song. The vocals are really well delivered as well. This song sounded like pure indie rock from the ’90s in the spirit of Yo La Tengo or Pavement. “Pink” is also a good one with some well-done dynamics and some great guitar work. They close strong with “Godfrey” which has arguably the best vocal delivery of any of the songs.

​The band has a lot going on. There are a number of different styles they flirt with. They sound good attempting all of them. The duo is talented and I look forward to hearing more soon.

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