Just A Fire

Just A Fire: Light UpLight Up (2003)
Asian Man Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

Contributed by: maverickScott
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on October 11th 2003Every review you will read of Just A Fire's debut CD will contain the following information [lovingly stolen from Interpunk and THICK Records]: "[Just A Fire's] line up consists of Fred Erskine (June of 44/Hoover/Him) on bass and vocals, Chris Daly (Sweep The Leg Johnny/Check Engine/Haymarket Rio.

Every review you will read of Just A Fire's debut CD will contain the following information [lovingly stolen from Interpunk and THICK Records]:

"[Just A Fire's] line up consists of Fred Erskine (June of 44/Hoover/Him) on bass and vocals, Chris Daly (Sweep The Leg Johnny/Check Engine/Haymarket Riot) on guitar and Scott Adams (Abeline/Chisel Drill hammer) on the drums."

That's a lot of history for one band, at least in the midwest. It's also a bit of pressure, and I'm sure more than one person has some unfair expectations for Just A Fire to live up to their former band's legacies. Here's the thing, though - this band is way better than a lot of their history.

Just A Fire is a chaotic mishmash of punk, dub, and post-hardcore tendencies all beating the shit out of each other for 9 tracks in a row. Think of a crazier June of 44, but a not nearly-as-sloppy Sweep The Leg Johnny. The band makes use of a saxophone and a trumpet on a few songs, but it fits in with the groove, as evidenced in "Gradubation." Erskine's vocals tend to slightly mimic those of Hot Hot Heat's Steve Bays, as does the entire band's musical style, just much more reggae-dub influenced [and minus the obvious Cure influence in HHH]. The music on here is rough, tight, and almost unwilling to give up it's melody to you - just the way Kobe Bryant likes it.

What it boils down to is that this is a really fun CD. It's not going to blow you away, perhaps, but it will expand your mind - possibly with the help of certain mind-expanding drugs [not included]. It's a bit of a leap for Asian Man, and I commend them for it.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (October 15, 2003)

i really don't like that mp3...
maybe the rest is better?

maverick (October 13, 2003)

In regards to a review of the new Early November CD:

We review what is sent to us for review. The Early November has not been sent to us yet, therefore there has not been a review written for it yet.

-Scott

aubin (October 13, 2003)

Regarding the Coheed CD. I just got it, and I wouldn't download it if I wanted it. (I don't download music)

But it would be best if I didn't review it because Coheed fans would kill me. Trust me on this one.

Anonymous (October 13, 2003)

Ten sucks!

Anonymous (October 12, 2003)

Hey I was hoping for an Early November "Rooms too cold" review...that cd is amazing. I will probably get told that TEN sucks but oh well, the cd is amazing in my opinion.

Anonymous (October 12, 2003)

If you cant review the CD because you dont have it, use IRC.

download MIRC, www.mirc.com

Go to www.xdccspy.com and type in "Coheed and Cambria" and download the damn thing you lazy @ss.

Anonymous (October 11, 2003)

This is a really cool album. Asian Man is finally expanding their horizons.

-bryan styles

Anonymous (October 11, 2003)

um, there's this concept called buying it? or do none of you guys like coheed?

maverick (October 11, 2003)

Equal Vision never sent us a copy of the Coheed and Cambria CD, so we can't really review it. Sorry.

-Scott

Anonymous (October 10, 2003)

dude...where's the In Keeping Secrets review?!!?!??
um...third.

boba_fett (October 10, 2003)

second!

Anonymous (October 10, 2003)

"The music on here is rough, tight, and almost unwilling to give up it's melody to you - just the way Kobe Bryant likes it."

first aubin in the libertines post and now scott. when's adam gonna make a joke in reference to pop culture?

Ramo