Yeah, bro. Get that punk-pop/rock vibe. Throw in some of your favourite bands from that genre, shake it up and you get the Life Of The Party. Oh, and that is also the name of the new EP from Auckland based band Fire For Glory.
The clean and polished sound that comes roaring from the speakers gets the anticipation building. I can immediately get the vibes from artists like Fall Out Boy and Jimmy Eat World. And that's just the opening title track. With catchy melodies, great and well thought out lyrics that capture those feelings of watching people laugh but wondering if it's with you or at you, the track is a powerful one that sets the stage for the remaining three tracks.
The second track Not The Enemy has a few more things to offer to spin your head around and remind you that you should never judge a band by their opening track. With some killer growls, dropped guitars that appear at the exact right times while still maintaining its catchy melodies sung so passionately and full of energy, this track is brilliant.
I feel the Weezer vibe coming through at times but it's not until you hit Supernova that I really get it. And, hey, by no means are these comparisons meant in any negative connotation. In fact, quite the opposite. These are influences that have shaped so many bands sounds, and the tree of genealogy relating to influences on bands and artists has roots that grow deep. It's how I learnt to appreciate so many different styles of music. Listening to the layering of guitars during the chorus demonstrates care and attention to detail. The rhythmic feel of the band throughout every track gives a clear indication that they are working together in unison to help bring their songs to life with more than just catchy choruses and awesome music. No. It's the whole package here. Excellent songwriting and production.
And of course, for the final track, you gotta have a super up-tempo killer pop-punk track to close off the EP. But hey, don't get too comfortable. Dynamics and changes are around every corner.
I am absolutely blown away by the quality of this EP. It is absolutely brilliant. Everything about the way Josh's vocals are so wonderfully captured and have so much emotion and melody is presented through this EP's stellar production. Backed up with a wonderful powerhouse of musicians made up by two guitars, drums and bass, the whole band has lifted the bar up.
You must go and check this one out. It will be on repeat for some time I believe.
Easy 5 stars.
Fire For Glory were a pop-punk band based in Auckland (Now known as Stray Dogs). Bringing together elements of 2000’s era pop punk and post hardcore, Fire For Glory delivered high energy live shows that won them a solid local following throughout New Zealand, and the band made their second successful self-funded venture to Australia. As a result of a hard working, DIY touring ethic, the band earned themselves supporting slots with bands such as Motion City Soundtrack (USA), Hawthorne Heights (USA), Joyce Manor (USA) and Silverstein (Canada).
Fire For Glory saw great commercial success, having both of their EPs Phantoms, Ghosts and Monsters and The Kid’s Got Guts, and their LP Shipwreck! all reaching #1 on the iTunes New Zealand rock chart. The single Frog Prince from the second EP was also featured on Spotify’s official rock playlist, and gained the band high amounts of streaming attention.
Fire For Glory is now known as Stray Dogs!