Everything in Flames was born in 2000; before the phrase itself took on all
this apparent importance. They almost sound like young malice, but out of
the mouth of someone who's old enough to know better. This is old school
brutality tempered with new school futility. That sensibility comes with
their place in the cultural zeitgeist; that is, being old enough to witness
punk, metal, shoegaze, new wave and other "undergrounds" underground before
they surfaced and were overtaken. They came from other places, noisier and
seemingly darker places, only to find that with age comes a different shade
to hide in. Have you ever looked into a shadow? You know that it
represents limbs and articulations.but without the referent body, you have
not a clue as to what is where in that dark shape. Funny, how those five
instruments can approximate that. You'll have to see them live to figure
out what comes from where.
Their first record, "Love is For Always", was recorded in a series of
drones, explosions, and sighs in the heart of their hearts: Tacoma,
Washington. After some changes, the band has reemerged with a new arsenal
of arrangements. That's right - I said arrangements. Remember those
things? Where riffs change and melodies emerge and the music has actual
movement or movements? Maybe you'll even find yourself surprised that you
are back in a familiar place by the end of a song. Surprised, perhaps, that
you didn't end up at all where you had expected. You might even find
yourself humming the melody at a rock show. Imagine that.
Good, memorable melodies are important, but harnessing sound and volume to
pummel and confuse someone around the head and chest is equally valuable.
Luckily, they know this. They are preparing again to set these things to
record, and to give you all a chance to pull it apart and reconstruct that
record as you will. Better yet, go check your listings now and find out
where they are headed next. Maybe you'll get to be pummeled by them in
person.
You should be so lucky.
SML
The story of EIF is a sad Archibald-esque story of unrealized potential. Yet in the short time that they were together they became one of my all time favorite bands. I can say that without further qualification. I'm glad I got the chance to work with you guys on that EP.
