Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Rivers - Forest Fires

4/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Rivers

Forest Fires
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
​
Chris J. Smith and M. Smith are two brothers who started a project called Rivers. Taking some time away from their band Earthman they decided to experiment and see what happened. The result is Forest Fires, which is just over ten-minutes long.

This release certainly does feel experimental but I think there are some styles that the band should follow in the future. The second half of the EP is much stronger than the first but more on that later.

The opener “Emily” feels like less of a proper song and more like an intro. The song is just over a minute long and minimal. It’s sparse, revolving around a couple of instruments and you hear the band counting off in the background. Not sure if this was intentional or not but I thought it took away from the music. The song is an introduction to a pleasant, pretty riff that doesn't go anywhere.

The next track “Winter Theme (Earthman Cover)” is an example of a song trying to meld to many different ideas. Imagine if you took Jamie Lidell, a comical cosmic play and mixed it with that guy who raps in Linkin Park. The music itself is pretty slick and the song starts off promising on the verse. Once the bridge comes I wasn’t sure what to think. I couldn't tell if they were trying to be funny or serious. The lyrics, “Everything in this world is made up of matter / Those different matters behave amongst each other” are delivered hyperbolically and spoken. It’s something you just need to hear. 

The last two songs really feel like a completely different band. “Daydream (feat. Lynley Evans)” is a good song all around - the music, the vocals and the production. I heard some banjo in there, which got me excited. The vibe is relaxed and serene. Definitely a song that works bumming out on a beach.

The next song “North” might be better than “Daydream (feat. Lynley Evans).” It’s a simple song revolving around vocal harmonies. My only complaint is the female vocals should have been about 2 - 3 dbs louder in the mix.

​Rivers said that Forest Fires was an experiment. If that's the case the last two songs in my opinion should be the foundation in which they build upon. The acoustic, tranquil vibe seemed to work best for them and felt effortless. I’m expecting to hear more from the duo in the not too distant future.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact