Search - Longwave :: There's a Fire

My Expectations Were Higher

Brad | 07/20/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Longwave for a little over two years now and was impressed and encouraged with "The Strangest Things," as I took to it quite easily.



"There's A Fire" has it's moments, and isn't a complete letdown by any means, but has it's share of boring, plodding songs that you've heard a million times over. I'm sorry but I don't really think I've listened to the mind-numbing, cliche and unoriginal "Heart Attack" more than once and am not looking forward to hearing it live (pee break).



But Longwave isn't the only band I really like to have "urinal break" tunes they play live. Ultimately, despite losing two original members that did hurt them some I think, they are a talented bunch.



"Fall On Every Whim," "River Song," and "Neat Plateau," are examples of Longwave's running potential. "Down In Here," "The Flood," and "Tell Me I'm Wrong" are passable CD filler and worthwhile pop songs, the rest are songs I simply never listen to anymore. The short instrumental "Dancing In The Light" is nice as was "Sunday Night Health" on their previous EP, but again simply filler and nothing that stands out.



The title track is a short, uppity pop song that doesn't stray from their roots too much, but is ultimately just another Pop rock song you've heard a million times already.



I am hoping their next CD isn't years away as I've grown tired of this release pretty quickly."

This is good stuff

alexander laurence | Los Angeles, CA | 07/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Longwave was part of the rock rejuvenation of NYC at the turn of the century.

They toured constantly and put out a few records. I saw them play at Irving

Plaza in 2003 and they were amazing. Time has passed and members have changed.

Now they have their first record with the new lineup. Longwave was always on

the scene but never given their proper due in America, even though worldwide

interest was already there. The first songs "There's A Fire" and "Underworld"

don't disappoint. Longwave displays their ability to be emotional in song.

This time they worked with one of their favorite producers, John Leckie. Even the

songs "River" and "The Flood" are amazing and contain everything great

about what is Longwave. They have an ability to be dramatic and subtle. Most of

this album is very mellow. But there are songs like "Tell Me I'm Wrong" and

"We're Not Gonna Crack" with are hard hitting than anything they have done in

the past. The whole album is high quality. "Next Plateau" is reminiscent of

The Beatles. This Longwave at their peak. Their live show should be wonderful.

"

Whirls and buzzes, screeches and feedback with a warm center

Strother Dagan | Boston, MA | 07/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Less space-rock and more pop than their previous The Strangest Things, this I think is Longwave's largest bid at breaking into the mainstream. Tell Me I'm Wrong, Fall on Every Whim, There's a Fire, We're Not Gonna Crack, and Underneath You Know the Names are every bit as good as the indie/pop/alternative stuff making the rounds on radio these days. But Longwave are a little something different than the post-punk pop or indie rock that started with The Strokes and is morphing into more synth-related stuff like The Killers. These guys are unpredictable. Follow closely enough on this album and the textures become more lush, the individual details bubble to the surface, and mood becomes more and more diverse yet somehow still coherent and uplifting. Sounds flood from every direction giving us whirls and buzzes, screeches and feedback, yet all the while are held together by Steve Schlitz' warmly soothing voice. More than one listen showed me that everything from Coldplay to The Foo Fighters to Oasis to Pink Floyd (I'm not joking!) seems to have made it into the Longwave soup this time, yet somehow it's even tastier than I would ever have thought possible. And there's even a little Radiohead thrown in for good measure on the secret song The Sea Monster that follows the closing track on the album.



Like Doves and their new disc Some Cities, this is one of a handful of albums not to be missed from the first half of 2005. Both albums are great additions to alternative brit-pop post-punk (that's a mouthful!) and have shown me that this type of music is still thriving on both sides of the pond. There's a Fire is diverse, exciting, and continues to show a band growing into and out of their sound: two signs of musical maturity and excellence.



Oh, and if you haven't seen these guys live than you haven't heard anything yet!



"