Detailed Reviews [Fire On Dawson - 2012 - "Seven Billion and a Nameless Somebody"]

Prolusion. The German band FIRE ON DAWSON was formed back in 2006, released their debut EP the following year and their first full length album came in 2010. "Seven Billion and a Nameless Somebody" is their second full length production, released on their own label Degressive Records in the fall of 2012.

Analysis. Fire On Dawson is a self-described progressive rock band, one of a growing number of artists with a desire to be seen and recognized as a band actively exploring this type of music. And while I guess that a few may scratch their heads at some of these artists, the older generation of progressive rock fans, in particular those who subscribe to the notion that progressive rock is music that defies conventional genre and style boundaries, shouldn't have too many problems regarding this particular band within the progressive rock context. When that has been said, my thoughts are that the main influence for this band, at least at the current stage of their career, is grunge. References to bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana are constant throughout this CD, in particular when it comes to vocal style and delivery but also for some of the harder edged riff constructions utilized. As far as the latter go, the hardest hitting ones tend to come across as more closely related to the likes of Tool, with a quirkier and more intense construction and delivery. Both of these aspects of the total whole make up bits and pieces of the 10 compositions at hand, and it's the remaining details used and explored that will interest existing fans of progressive rock. Mellow sequences with a mood and atmosphere that do have a few similarities to Pink Floyd, pace-filled, quirky bass and drums driven sequences that bring Porcupine Tree to mind, occasional use of textured guitar motifs referencing post rock and occasional inclusions of themes and motifs with a closer relation to jazz, funk and fusion, the latter of these a rather rare occurrence admittedly, but used to good and surprising effect when employed. The end result is a fairly accessible CD that, however, contains enough sophisticated details to warrant an interest from a progressive rock interested audience, at least by those among that crowd with an interest in contemporary artists exploring the art rock universe.

Conclusion. Fire On Dawson isn't a band that will find much favor amongst dedicated old school progressive rock fans, those who have sworn their allegiance to the likes of Genesis or Magma isn't a target crowd for this band. But I'd suspect that those who are into acts like Porcupine Tree might find this CD to be an interesting one, especially those amongst them who also listen to bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

OMB=Olav M Bjornsen: June 6, 2013
The Rating Room