FAIR TO MIDLAND — Arrows & Anchors (review)

FAIR TO MIDLAND — Arrows & Anchors album cover Album · 2011 · Alternative Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Kingcrimsonprog
2011's Arrows And Anchors is the fourth full-length studio album (and second major label one) by the American Progressive band Fair To Midland. It was produced by Joe Baressi (Coheed & Cambria, Isis, Clutch, QOTSA). The band are notable for their previous association with Serj Tankian.

The band's sound is a quirky mixture of occasional bouncy metal sections, progressive rock spirit and a general Alternative Rock sound. The vocals are primarily either soft and high pitched, or Maynard James Keenan influenced, with a few shouty sections here and there and keys are effortlessly blended throughout.

Musically, there are a mixture of heavy and quiet, fast and slow tracks, some synths and keys blended into a dynamic set of rock songs, with a lot of stop-start structures and some very interesting lyrics. The songs appear compact and easily digestible enough at first glance, but hide a surprisingly high standard of musicianship and creativity that unveils itself further on each listen. They really know how to pack a lot of colour and detail into a small space of time.

If you are a fan of bands like Coheed And Cambria, The Butterfly Effect, The Dear Hunter, A Perfect Circle, Dredge, Cog, The Mayan Factor, Karnivool, Soen, 3, Rishloo, My Morning Jacket, Protest The Hero or Dead Letter Circus then this is a band that may really excite you.

Album highlights include the absolutely fabulous `Short Haired Tornado,' the bouncy `Whiskey & Ritalin,' as well as the interesting `Amarillo Sleeps On My Pillow' and the album's heaviest track `Rikki Tikki Tavi.' If you are wondering whether or not the band or the album are for you, check out those songs.

Overall; Arrows And Anchors is a fabulously enjoyable record, with a great sense of variety and a smooth logical flow, full of melodic and memorable tracks with a lot of character. The band have a great formula and mix different elements together well into a cohesive and interesting whole. If you generally like the sort of post-millennial Progressive-meets-Alternative Rock (New Prog, Art Rock etc) sound, then this is definitely an album for you. Comment
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