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Fireside - Get Shot (Cover Artwork)

Fireside

Get Shot (2003)
V2

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: mjg
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Published on September 25th 2005


For those unaware, Fireside's stateside story is an odd one. In the mid-nineties, the band's fantastic second album Do Not Tailgate was picked up by American Recordings and released in 1996, and the band got a spot on the then-popular Lollapalooza Festival. However, soon afterward, the band was dropped and picked up by Crank!, who issued the phenomenal Uomini d'Onore, as well as a reissue of their first record Fantastic Four and a B-sides/EP collection titled Hello Kids. Elite followed in 2000, and went unreleased in the U.S.

Then came 2003.

Singer Kristofer Astrom had been busy with solo project Hidden Truck; guitarist Pelle Gunnerfeldt had been producing and mixing records for top selling artists such as T(I)NC, the Hives, and many more Swedish bands; drummer Per Nordmark had been moonlighting as a drummer in multiple acts; bassist Franz Johansson had been doing whatever it is bassist's do in their free time.

Just as much as any fan of the band, I was surprised (and ecstatic) to walk into the local record store and see a copy of a new Fireside album (let alone it to be released through V2), so I picked it up...and was not let down.

The band kicks it off with the powerful "All You Had," a track full of noise, static, and a grooving, fuzz bassline. The production is fantastic. The band keeps rockin' on through "Follow Follow," "The Betrayer," "Backwards Over Germany" (whose snare drum sounds as if someone were hitting an instrument chord against the ground on high gain), and "Throw It Away." Kristofer's lyrics are as minimal and to-the-point as ever, and the flow of the record is strong, even though the band has dropped its trademark harder sound for a more raw, noisey indie sound; however, it all fits perfectly. The album's breather track, "I'm Coming Home," is a sort of reprieve from the noise, with a clean guitar track, organ, and Kristofer's low voice carrying us through a soft point.

"Problem (To You)" kicks it back up a few notches, with its feedback and pulsating rhythms, and the bridge pulls it all together with a lovely, raw organ line. Their rock continues with "All Criminals Are Us," "Swinging Sid's Chain Around," and the album closer "Player."

Overall, this record is pretty damn good, and reaffirmed Fireside's position as one of Sweden's top acts, let alone in the world. The album is harmonious and raw, minimal and pulsating, dirty and beautiful. Die-hard fans of the band's older material may find this one a little more difficult to get into, but when they do, it becomes a gem in the crown of the monumental Fireside back catalog. Unfortunately, though, I believe V2 hasn't pressed any more for U.S. distribution (seeing as how they didn't give the band support to tour here...just another story of the industry depriving the consumers of good music and the band of popularity).

In conclusion, this record was easily one of the most underrated stateside releases of 2003, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in checking it out. I guess Interpunk may have some copies left, as well as the Amazon Zshops, but once it's gone, it's gone...and the imports will be coming in from Europe.



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    poonk (June 20, 2007)

    Get Shot is very good – albeit Do Not Tailgate is untouchable (hell, I even think that this record is better than Manic Compression...) I still can't believe how underrated these guys are.

    Beautiful women, incredible bands, quality cellphones,... God bless Sweden.

    mjg (September 27, 2005)

    yeah it is, i was thinking about writing up a review for that next

    Anonymous (September 26, 2005)

    The new astrom solo record is really good as well.

    wyzo

    stevejonestherealbones (September 26, 2005)

    never the fuck mind about the trio. he screws in well enough, but then they give him a half turn in the opposite direction. fuck that

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    stevejonestherealbones (September 26, 2005)

    the fucking paint doesnt match up? does it go around the back of the cover art? fuck you fireside if you didnt take the time to make the paint match up you sallys

    also, another thing. that fuckin alky three-o video where dude is getting screwed down into the ground, his fucking feet are going the wrong god damned way. i dont know what kind of fucking irregular screw that guy is made from, but that shit wouldnt fly if i was in charge of that video

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    dazed (September 25, 2005)

    I got my copy from a used store and it's not a promo as far as I can tell. I got it cause I'd heard "Sucking the Dust" on the Godmoney soundtrack.

    maverick (September 25, 2005)

    I had no idea this record even existed (and apparently, neither did Best Buy, as they didn't have it in stock when I went there). Do Not Tailgate was great, so I definitely want to find this.

    Sidenote: Are there actually copies of Do Not Tailgate that exist in the US without the gold "this is a promotional CD" stamp on them? It seems like every copy of that record I've ever seen -- in used stores or in peoples' collections -- has the gold stamp on it.

    -Scott

    DanFrank (September 25, 2005)

    Nice to see this reviewed. Terrific album.

    dazed (September 25, 2005)

    Do Not Tailgate is a great album, I had no clue these guys were even still around, let alone releasing more albums. That's awesome, I'll have to check it out....

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