Fair - Disappearing World
Rating
RIYL
Poor Old LuColdplay
Seabird
Release Date
02/09/2010
Label
Tooth And NailTracklist
1. Disappearing World2. Wayside
3. Walking In My Sleep
4. One Last Time
5. Take Some Risks
6. The Escape Artist
7. It’s Doubtful
8. The Worst Of Your Wear
9. Great Divide
10. Anyone
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The last Fair album came out in 2006. It was also the first Fair album, but you couldn’t tell because it sounded a little too mature to be a debut. Frontman, producer mastermind, and industry veteran Aaron Sprinkle’s songwriting competence was to blame for that. Four years later, Fair is back with another album that seems several steps ahead of what’s expected. Is Sprinkle guilty again? Yes, and accusation has never sounded so pleasant.
Whereas most bands can be caught still struggling to develop a musical identity on their sophomore album, Disappearing World makes it sound like Fair has been crafting their mellow pop-rock flair for ages. The title track pits a warm melody against radio aesthetic, and the nonchalant, “A little says a lot / When writing from across the world,” line in the opening seconds will be flagged in Sprinkle’s career for one of the more memorable lyrics.
“Walking In My Sleep” is a bold and haughty rocker packaged with a memory-dominating chorus, while “One Last Time” is about as majestic as genuine, straightforward pop-rock gets. “Take Some Risks” climbs harmonic heights when it whines like the famous Shakespeare sonnet: “Everyone gets over this / They move along, they take some risks / All I want comes easily / To everyone surrounding me.” “Great Divide” is an inspirational indie ditty that says, “Don’t sleep breathe in deep / Hold fast, this won’t last,” but on closer “Anymore,” Sprinkle loses faith in a relationship; “I don’t believe you anymore,” he wails in his silky voice.
Not surprisingly, the weakest track is “The Worst Of Your Wear,” where Aaron Marsh gets the nod to join in on the writing and recording process. Like with Anchor and Braille and Copeland, Marsh’s influence drapes a brittle feel over the track, making it entirely forgettable save for its charismatic urge to “illuminate what’s wrong with you.” This is the only true misstep on the album, though.
Disappearing World doesn’t have the chops to hook opinionated naysayers of the genre, but that wasn’t its purpose in the first place. What it does have an obligation to strive for is excellence within pop-rock’s boundaries. In this respect, the album executes flawlessly. Piano-driven alternative hasn’t sounded this nice in a while. Remember to throw this one on your end of the year list.
--Matthew Tsai
Comments
Wisconsin
yummmm
http://www.last.fm/user/alexcreate
San Jose, CA
Indeed.
last.fm/user/thetsaiguy
Wisconsin
i haven't listened to them in a couple years, since the best-worst case scenario. to be honest i don't remember really any songs off it. but this has some really good tracks. great for the weather right now.
http://www.last.fm/user/alexcreate