Search - Fire Town :: Good Life

"The Great (Lost) Return of the Rickenbacker" album

dev1 | Baltimore | 06/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Search the internet and you may be able to find a pristine copy of the original 1989 "The Good Life" CD (Atlantic 81945-2) for about sixty bucks. And for good reason: "The Good Life" is one of the finest collections of sing along melodies and ringing guitars this side of R.E.M.While speaking of R.E.M., one can forget mumbling lyrics and sophomoric production. Fire Town's recording, mixing and mastering techniques are first-rate giving the album a clean pop aura. Perhaps Butch Vig is best known as an alternative rocker, but "The Good Life" has a distinctive country flavor. The vocal harmonies of Erickson, Davis and Vig remind me of the Everly Brothers, the Byrds and (although a bit of a stretch) the Bodeans.Close your eyes and image the charming sixties guitar sound of Roger McGuinn. "The Good Life" is worthy of the title "The Great (Lost) Return of the Rickenbacker" album.For fans of R.E.M. and the db's, "The Good Life" is a must have. Often, searching for worthy pop requires more work than simply pressing the "buy now" button. Those who put forth the addition effort will be well rewarded."

Life Before Nirvana and Garbage

R. Smith | Viola, Iowa USA | 04/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There was Fire Town, a Madison based band who made two albums for Atlantic. In The Heart Of Heart Country (1987-not on CD) showcased a pop rock feel in the grand style of Shoes/BoDeans. Their last album The Good Life is one of the great lost classics of the 80s to which they perfected their harmonies and Byrds like guitar, and should have had hits from such songs like Miles Away and She Remains Me Of You. Throw in Hollies like vocals and you have one the best pop albums of the 80s. Very hard to find in Mad City. (Grade A-)"