Labels: Deep Elm
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I am really surprised that Deep Elm is putting out stuff like the Fire Divine. Or maybe I shouldn’t be. The Elm has a storied history of releasing some of the cheesiest music you’ll ever have the pleasure to here, be it something like the Jesus bothering antics of Branston Pickle, or some of their newer efforts like the sordid MTVmo strains of Burns out Bright. And the Fire Divine certainly did not help bring the air freshener, instead giving the unwary listener 4 songs of ridiculously by the book whine-rock. It has all the tedious cliches. 1980’s rock riffs, strong and boring vocals, predictably bad shouty parts (OMG LOL WTF SKREEMO!), the sub-Weezer slowed down pop song with Wildhearts harmonys and a cringe inducing guitar solo, and an all manner of lyrics that I do not have the proper pleasure of reprinting for your giggles because, get this, they didn’t see fit to publish them, and to be honest “” I do not blame them. So many horrific elements and all on one CD, who would have thought it possible? I think the worst part of this edam-fest is the repugnant rock riffs, I am not sure why this genre is plagued with bands that think that some of the worst elements of guitar music from the 1980’s is something that makes for a good song in the year 2004? What the dickens is going on with that?
Right. It’s finished now. 4 songs. This may appeal to you if you have a longing for boys whining over bad rock. Bland MTVmo is alive and well even on well established, independent record labels. That’s sad. I am off to have a shower.