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Fair
The Best Worst Case Scenario
©2006 Tooth & Nail Records
It's good
to see Aaron Sprinkle come from behind the production chair and put together a band that can speak quality into the independent
modern rock landscape. Although he produces this as well, you get the sense that what he hears in his head is above the level
of many well-intentioned bands striving for originality. Many bands try to create their own niche, succeed at it, and then
get lost in a sea surrounded by mediocrity. What I mean is all of the American Idol image consciousness and corporate industry
success are based on selling mediocre units of product on the casual fan who gets his/her fill on corporate owned radio. The
artists or bands that just want to make good music and want it to be heard are treated with kid gloves, pushed aside for the
latest sub par wannabes, and then never really gets much distribution from their label. This is where Fair steps into the
picture. Though not necessarily burning any new trails musically, Sprinkle pushes the envelope on quality. Very smartly produced,
the yearnings of the lyrics and vocals are supported in a tightly wound cocoon of tasteful melody, song structure, and polished
instrumentation. The packaging is nicely done too.
All of the songs are alternative radio friendly covering themes of
longing, doubt, fear, regret; all popular for lyrical musings. "The Attic" speaks of possible suppressed memories, however
painful they might be:
"The attic is still full of all of the same things that lay here
When I was wide-eyed for playthings
The basement is chock-full of all of the memories
Handed to lovers with great expectations
Don't leave me behind
Don't leave me alone
For I just may recall what brought me here...
The words that I've spoken turn into nonsense
You said it was a lonely night
You took the lead and made the mark
You tore the pages from the scene
That
taught me to control the sadness"
Aaron Sprinkle and Nick Barber, of Poor Old Lu fame, are joined by Erick Newbill
on guitar and Joey Sanchez on drums. This is a tight and fluid outfit. Rotation, rotation, rotation. In the sea of music I
subject myself to, this release, though new to my arsenal, is fairing quite nicely.
8.5 out of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
Aug 2007
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