Firewater - The Golden Hour

Genre indie-rock Publisher Bloodshot Records External Links Firewater Website

Firewater is an indie rock group that has been around since the mid to late 1990s. If you have not heard of them yet then 2008's the Golden Hour is the perfect greeting. Founded by vocalist Tod A., the band is comprised of what Tod describes as a "wedding band gone wrong." Although one might assume this makes the band a bunch of misfits with instruments, the Golden Hour tells us they know what they're doing. This album is 13 songs in duration and for the most, every track is worth the time.

'Borneo' is a rock song with a comical twist. Its part old school rock and part swing tones, yet its' neither of both. Instead, this song is some sort of anomaly that only Firewater could create with their strange musical slang. 'This is my Life' has strong Eastern feel vibes with the use of congas, bongos, and mandolins. The sound is essentially dependent on its use of non traditional tones underneath Tod A.'s grungy vocal style and it works. One of The Golden Hour's best tracks is 'Some Kind of Kindness'. The take makes good use of samba like polyrhythm and an audible certainty that makes for a clever disposition as Tod A. declares "we may be cheap but we ain't free". The album's 6 cut is called 'Paradise' and it's a good one. It's cynical song with an ambient out reach and plenty of mood. It's about all the ways that "Paradise comes with a price". The vocals are deep and haunting. The harmony goes back and forth from loose to well uniform and allows 'Paradise' to be dynamic in it's own right.

'Electric City' is slightly salsa and slightly middle eastern. Either way, its got a feel that dares the listener to jive along with it. Untraditional of the indie rock genre, this song explores into realms that is neither pop nor dance, but the carnival that happens between. Fittingly, 'Hey Clown' is the next to be heard. It's not as appraisable as some of The Golden Hour's other tracks, but it's got a catchy chorus that sticks like hot wax. Anyone who is a fan of horn arrangements will enjoy this song as well. 'Feels like the end of the world' doesn't exactly feel like the end of the world, but it certainly feels like you can see it. Again, the polyrhythmic percussion carries the song in 32nd notes and at times the balance between acoustic and electric guitars is award winning. The lead guitar lick itself sounds like something that belongs in a Quentin Tarantino movie. 'Three Legged Dog' is the album's last track and it's also got a comic twist. Tod A.'s lyrics don't make much sense but are rhetorical in nature. In a roundabout way, this song manages to capture everything that is weird about this "wedding band gone wrong".

Firewater's The Golden Hour is good album for those indie rockers brave enough to accept it. Songs of this style are not directly appealing, but instead require a somewhat heretical appreciation for music. Nevertheless, The Golden Hour is stylish, bold, and as acerbic as indie rock can be.