Smoke or Fire-The Speakeasy
Fat
November 9, 2010

I had to go back and read what I wrote about This Sinking Ship. I didn't remember liking it as much as The Speakeasy, and reading what I wrote about it would take a lot less time than cleaning out my barn to get to the bins where all my CDs are hiding, find it and then listen to it. From reading my review, I liked it, but The Speakeasy is their coming out party.

Smoke or Fire have come into more of their own on this one. The songwriting is solid as ever, full of catchy sing along choruses and tight playing all around. Whether they're playing an uptempo song, a mid tempo rocker or what I'd consider a "ballad" ("Neon Light"), Smoke or Fire are writing with intensity and an insane amount of energy. They even throw in "Honey I Was Right About the Way," an quick acoustic number that breaks up the material in a good way, serving as in intermission.

This is some really good punk rock and roll. "Monsters Among Us" is my favorite track, but they're all impressive. Here's hoping their hard work pays off and we start to see Smoke or Fire everywhere in 2011.

Written by: RF
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