Thursday 25 June 2009

Review - Fightstar - Be Human

Fightstar - Be Human

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8 out of 10

With their first two albums Fightstar tried hard to break free of the stigma associated with front man Charlie Simpson's former chart topping band. Be Human sees the band launch themselves onwards and upwards and out of the ballpark boundary. Solidifying their influences and putting their own unique stamp on proceedings, Fightstar have released what can only be called an awesome record. Especially when you find out that drummer Omar Abidi broke his wrist during recording and the band had Simpson take over on drumming duties and on one occasion the pair performed in tandem on the track Damocles.

Interwoven amongst the lush melodic guitar passages are grandiose backing vocals courtesy of the Rugby School Sixth Form choir and a 16 piece orchestra conducted by celebrated arranger Audrey Riley who is most famed for working with Muse and Coldplay.

It's hard to pick stand out tracks from the album as each song is perfect in its own little way. 'Mercury Summer' sounding a little like The Cure jamming out with Lost Prophets whilst 'The English Way' sees the band cut a sound that is quite their own. The aforementioned 'Damocles' shows the bands heavier inspirations with a screamed vocal line and jittery off timed guitar work that is reminiscent of one of the more chilled out Sikth tracks.

Be Human is Fightstar personified and whilst they wear their influences on their sleeves, they manage to sound nothing like them whilst retaining a sense of purpose and solid direction all of their own.

Listen: www.myspace.com/fightstarmusic

Tracklist:
1. Calling On All Stations
2. The English Way
3. War Machine
4. Never Change
5. Colours Bleed To Red
6. The Whisperer
7. Mercury Summer
8. Give Me The Sky
9. Chemical Blood
10. Tonight We Burn
11. Damocles
12. Follow Me Into The Darkness

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