Fang Island's self-titeld debut LP literally begins and ends with the sound of fireworks. If you can't think of a more epic beginning and ending, try and manage to think that after hearing the entirety of Fang Island. Explosions of cymbals, high piercing guitar solos and very Animal Collective-esque vocals make up Fang Island's signature, collective sound.
Fang Island sounds like a heavy progressive metal band with a twist of indie. Single "Daisy" might just show the whole picture of what Fang Island are about; complex guitar parts, fast-paced drums, quirky keyboard noises and synchronized harmonic vocals. It's hard to distinct one track from another due to the reason that everything simply sounds the same. The second half of the album really starts the drag beginning with "The Illinois" and spirals downwards from there.
Though, Fang Island may sounds like a bit of a rip off of Animal Collective's quirky complex keyboard sounds with the same vocal technique they use, Fang Island has different qualities of their own to separate the confusion and originality. Fang Island tenacious over dubbings of guitars can really be out there and yet can be so satisfying especially the fast flurries of "Sideswiper". The guitar sounds sound all the same though and don't show any sings of changing in the future for Fang Island, which might be diminishing.
It all sounds glorious and epic, but then again Fang Island did tell everyone that their music is like "everybody high-fiving each other", which is awesome by any standards. But the soaring above the heavens guitar solos can get to you after a couple of listens just like any metal album from the '80s, but the indie appeal of Fang Island somewhat makes for it.
Speaking of being like a metal album, well I don't want to leave a wrong impression. Nothing on Fang Island has that very driving downward force that metal has, everything is uplifting and sounds happy rather than angry. I would count that as a very unique and pleasant aspect towards Fang Island. I don't know if that would please or anger the everyday metal fan, but I sure know it pleased me.
Another downfall to Fang Island is the amount of what's going on in the music. The chaotic approach to the music is very tenacious and gutsy, but can be a nuisance to try and grasp what exactly is going on between that super fast double bass pedal and the cheesy synths of "Davey Crockett". But overall, Fang Island is a very unique and refreshing album to make you feel triumphant at life and to conquers any fears and problems in your life.
Overall: 7.4/10
Track Listing:
1. Dream of Dreams - 9.0
2. Careful Crossovers - 8.0
3. Daisy - 8.5
4. Life Coach - 6.5
5. Sideswiper - 7.0
6. The Illinois - 6.0
7. Treeton - 7.0
8. Davey Crockett - 6.5
9. Welcome Wagon - 7.0
10. Dorian - 8.5 Sample: "Daisy"
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