The Frame - The Infinite Fire

The Frame

The Infinite Fire
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

The Frame (not to be confused with The Frames) is the creative musical efforts of Cory Fujimori (guitars/keyboards/drums/backing vocals), Ramone Talarico (lead/backing vocals) and Chris Findlay (bass/guitars/ mandolin/backing vocals). Their recent release The Infinite Fire is an amalgamation of demo material that Talarico wrote in the late ‘90s/early 2000s. 

It won’t take you very long to realize when listening to The Infinite Fire that there is a distinct ‘80s sounds to the music. From the high-pitched vocals to the guitar tone, the band contains elements of prog-rock, symphonic rock and ‘80s hair metal. It doesn’t sound so much as an homage to the nostalgic decade but seems like it was actually made in the time period. I think it’s fair to say that fans of ‘80s rock will unequivocally be drawn to The Infinite Fire and for those who aren’t well this isn’t going to change their mind. 

The album starts with “Pillars of Darkness and Light” which is more or less an intro and doesn’t do much to indicate what is ahead. “Pillars of Darkness and Light” is atmospheric and ethereal in a Pink Floyd type of way, which is a style the band rarely revisits. The very next song “Hazy Today” begins with Geddy Lee-type high vocal notes, guitars, drums, etc. making for a very grandiose beginning. The epic yet slightly bombastic intro simmers down with a piano supporting the vocals. Like the genre, the lyrics can also be nostalgic. Talarico sings, “Does it eat at you, sometimes it eats at me when you look at your yesterdays.” Any way you look at it “Hazy Today” is a well thought out, dynamic song and you even get some of the old time ‘80s hair metal falsetto notes towards the end of the song

Do you remember ‘80s movies where they would have a motivational montage with music playing over it? Sure you do - you remember Rocky and The Karate Kid. “Still Seen By Me” could be that song. It definitely has that inspirational “let’s go out and do this” that vibe. The song overstays its welcome and could have been wrapped in four minutes rather than six but that wasn’t a huge deduction.

The next two songs “When Love is Synthesized” and “Part of Me” are similar in vibe and feel to “Still Seen By Me” and “Hazy Days.” “Set Me Free” is where the band put down their electric guitars and trades them for acoustics. It’s a reflective ballad that transmits a sentimental squishy vibe. 

The Frame is holding true to the aesthetics of the ‘80’s on The Infinite Fire. You can easily add songs from The Infinite Fire to your playlist of Rush, Joe Satriani and Robert Tepper and play it at a party and no one will flinch. 

Become A Fan

bandcamp

Tweet