The Haiku - 'Fan The Flames' (unsigned / album review)
I have a thing about acoustic music. Most of the time it is either over-earnest, I-just-might-kill-myself singer songwriters or anachronistic folkies trying to sustain a dying musical form. The Haiku from Trowbridge in Wiltshire are different. Their brand of 'Anti-Folk' shows that you don't need to be plugged in to rock. After far too long, the band have released their debut album and it does not disappoint.
Opening track on the album 'Drink It Away' doesn't start promisingly with what seems like a typical acoustic style guitar riff. Once the drums kick in however the track turns into a strident, down-beat tale of drinking to numb the pain of loss.
The climactic cymbal roll of the opener then segues neatly into 'Nerves On A Pin' that proves just how loud the band can get. The pounding drum line including flamenco style handclaps drives forward the angst ridden song. This is the true calling card of the band and shows how far they can stray from the aforementioned earnestness.
The undoubted highlight of the album is 'The News Is: The World Sucks'. It's a jaunty tune that still manages to have a pertinent message for the modern age. The chorus starts 'The asshole rules the world and the nice guy doesn't bother' which is a phrase to live by in the modern climate of apathy and powerlessness. It's an anthemic sing-a-long track that has provided the band with their T-shirts which read 'The Asshole Rules The World'
'Sleazy Pop Song' does exactly what it says on the tin. A loopy, repetitive guitar riff drives forward a track dealing with trying to persuade a girl into bed. After the cheeky tone of 'The News Is...' this is the true apex of the bands humour.
All this is not to say that there is not something to enjoy for those who prefer the more traditional acoustic ballad style. 'Escape - Part 2 (Yours)', 'Throwaway' and 'Freewheelin'' all have that flavour. 'Throwaway' even includes a mouth organ solo.
Over all this is an album that succeeds from multiple angles. There is enough here to satisfy the 'traditionalist' fans who go in for acoustic music and also the 'indie' fans who like rock music with a bit of edge. The tongue-in-cheek moments on the album are just cherries on the cake.
'Fan The Flames' and the bands 2007 EP 'Not Enough People Are Wearing Hats' are both available direct from the bands website and iTunes.
By Colin Gazeley – Ourobouros Podcast
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Unsigned
www.thehaiku.co.uk
Bookmark and share this page with:Opening track on the album 'Drink It Away' doesn't start promisingly with what seems like a typical acoustic style guitar riff. Once the drums kick in however the track turns into a strident, down-beat tale of drinking to numb the pain of loss.
The climactic cymbal roll of the opener then segues neatly into 'Nerves On A Pin' that proves just how loud the band can get. The pounding drum line including flamenco style handclaps drives forward the angst ridden song. This is the true calling card of the band and shows how far they can stray from the aforementioned earnestness.
The undoubted highlight of the album is 'The News Is: The World Sucks'. It's a jaunty tune that still manages to have a pertinent message for the modern age. The chorus starts 'The asshole rules the world and the nice guy doesn't bother' which is a phrase to live by in the modern climate of apathy and powerlessness. It's an anthemic sing-a-long track that has provided the band with their T-shirts which read 'The Asshole Rules The World'
'Sleazy Pop Song' does exactly what it says on the tin. A loopy, repetitive guitar riff drives forward a track dealing with trying to persuade a girl into bed. After the cheeky tone of 'The News Is...' this is the true apex of the bands humour.
All this is not to say that there is not something to enjoy for those who prefer the more traditional acoustic ballad style. 'Escape - Part 2 (Yours)', 'Throwaway' and 'Freewheelin'' all have that flavour. 'Throwaway' even includes a mouth organ solo.
Over all this is an album that succeeds from multiple angles. There is enough here to satisfy the 'traditionalist' fans who go in for acoustic music and also the 'indie' fans who like rock music with a bit of edge. The tongue-in-cheek moments on the album are just cherries on the cake.
'Fan The Flames' and the bands 2007 EP 'Not Enough People Are Wearing Hats' are both available direct from the bands website and iTunes.
By Colin Gazeley – Ourobouros Podcast
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Unsigned
www.thehaiku.co.uk
