Five-piece Americana outfit Fire on Fire is borne from the ashes of psych-prog-punk collective Cerberus Shoal, whose former members have abandoned their electric instruments for banjos, mandolins, and acoustic guitars. This debut EP, released via Young God Records, is long on the folk and short on the freakish tendencies that have characterized some of the label’s other bands. Cerberus Shoal thrived on an unpredictable, everything-but-thekitchen-sink approach; Fire on Fire relies on a straightforward brand of front-porch Americana.
The album works because of its sincerity. listening, one feels like they decided to retreat from the modern world, and this acoustic music happened as a byproduct. Opener “Hangman” starts with a fingerpicking progression, followed by a warbly but harmonious blast of high-pitched vocals and mandolin. “My Lady Coffin” sounds like a long-lost Appalachian hiking song, and closer “Three or More” is a slow-moving, banjo-driven epic.
At the same time, this is no Woody Guthrie folk album. Strange noises—via accordions, harmoniums, and the members’ distinct voices—abound, adding modern experiments to an old-time vibe. It’s a promising debut of soulful tunes, rooted deep in the history of traditional American music.
-David Hudnall
Fire on Fire: www.myspace.com/fireonfiremusic
Young God Records: www.younggodrecords.com