New Album, Same Band
Alex Bean | DeKalb, IL USA | 02/23/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To begin: I give this album 5 stars, but not because I would stand behind Fake Problems no matter what album flops out of their studios. I give it 5 stars because their sound appears to be changing in a way that fits them quite nicely.
I've been following the band's progress for a while now, and seeing their progression ("Spurs & Spokes/Bull>Matador," "How Far Our Bodies Go," "Viking Wizard Eyes, Wizard Full of Lies," "It's Great to Be Alive," and various singles), I can say with confidence that the band is doing this right.
The first song I heard was "The Dream Team," and I admit I was skeptical of it. After being so fortunate as to see the band at a local cafe with about 10 other people, I heard the majority of their new material and was more than impressed.
Fake Problems delivers, once again, an album with as much sincerity as energy. In combination with the varied instruments, clapping, and humming, this emotion creates a full set of songs begging to be sung along to.
Although I support the reinvention of a band's sound, many talented bands seem to be doing this in a way that alienates their former audience. Fake Problems, however continues to fine-tune (yet diversify) the direction of their music without abandoning the characteristics that attracted their fans."