Oh No Forest Fires — The War On Geometry

The War On Geometry's title implies a certain cheekiness, and if you know anything about Oh No Forest Fires, you know they're not only hyperactive, but definitely cheeky. This disc is surprisingly well-rounded and not nearly as hyperactive as its lengthy song titles would suggest. After leadoff track "It's Not Fun And Games Unless Someone Loses An Eye," you might be tempted to compare Oh No Forest Fires to Moneen. The song uses the same bouncy, somewhat-emo-but-not, semi-post-hardcore-influenced guitar lines that the Brampton, Ont. band use on their records. But hold off on that comparison because Oh No Forest Fires are a bit more than that. The band — who consist of ex-members of Five Blank Pages, The Most Serene Republic and Fox Jaws — bring their collective experiences to the table to create something pretty unique. "I Gotta Tell Ya, Fellas, This Is Pretty Terrific" features a pipe organ (or at least a programmed one), which should instantly put any Moneen comparisons you might have to rest. "New Cove Road Back Home" features violin work from Hey Rosetta!'s Kinley Dowling, and it's a nice change from their fast-paced, crazy live shows and most of the disc's other songs. Most of The War On Geometry's songs are pretty strong and combine a nice melange of influences, but some somewhat miss the mark. Nonetheless, it's a pretty great debut from a bunch of high-energy guys.

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