fun. - Aim and Ignite
genre: indie/pop
released: Aug. 25 2009
label: Nettwerk
Being someone who was never a big fan of the popular Arizona band The Format, I delved into this album without any real strong expectations, good or bad. But after listening to this album, I am very glad that Nate Ruess is back making music. After forming this band with Andrew Dost of Anathallo and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train, fun. has already had a big impact on the indie pop music scene, gaining a slot as an opening band for Jack's Mannequin on an upcoming North American tour. If you take the time to listen to album, you will understand why they deserve all the praise they have been receiving recently.
The album's first track "Be Calm" sets an appropriate tone for the rest of the album that follows. It starts off very slow in the beginning with an array of instruments backing the singing of Ruess. The song ultimately builds up into a frenzy over a 4 minute span, which will excite the listener for the following tracks. Track 2, "Benson Hedges", starts off with Ruess singing a choir-esque verse and goes right into a great musical collaboration that continues throughout the song. The drums set a great pace while the guitars and strings keep you nodding your head the entire time. "All the Pretty Girls" is a great choice for a single, which is a song about a boy who can't seem to get a girl out of head, no matter how hard he tries. A typical choice for a pop song idea, fun. hits the mark on the head with the extremely catchy chorus:
"All the pretty girls on a Saturday night/Let it be, and come to me with the look in your eyes/Will you break and take all the words from my mouth?/I wish all the pretty girls were shaking me down."
"I Wanna Be the One" shows a very happy ensemble of horns and drum beats that accompanies another strong lyrical performance, which is consistent throughout the album. "At Least I'm Not as Sad (As I Used to Be)", another album single, has the dueling male and female vocals which provide for a great sing-along. "Light a Roman Candle With Me" slows the pace a bit, but still keeps the listener toe-tapping with its lyrical rhymes and lighter instruments that provide a nice change. "Walking the Dog" starts off with a groove that lasts for the entire 3 and a half minutes. The "nah nah nah" that plays repeatedly will ultimately have you coming back to this song for multiple listens (I also enjoy the Boys of Summer reference in the bridge as well). Next, "Barlights" keeps with the theme of a large piano influence and poppy drums, with a calming guitar riff and more horns.
"The Gambler" is easily the prized piece of this album, and one listen will provide the proof. Ruess wrote this song, I believe, from the perspective of his mother, singing to his father. The piano and string/horn arrangement are the perfect choice to accompany this beautiful song. The lyrics alone are enough to make anyone appreciate the talented Ruess on his own, but the song as a whole really brings everything together in the end. My personal favorite on the album, "The Gambler" may also be my favorite song of the year, and if not, is a definite top 5. There aren't enough good things I can say about this song, you have to listen to it on your own to truly appreciate it. Lastly we have the 8 minute "Take Your Time (Coming Home)", which is a great end to an already excellent album. Although it is much longer than the previous tracks, it doesn't skip a beat and fits in beautifully with the rest of the album.
While fun. may not be exactly what fans of The Format expected, it certainly sets a very high bar for the rest of the bands in the genre. Aim and Ignite leaves the listener with a smile and an urge to replay the album over and over. This very catchy, poppy album is a breath of fresh air from the everyday indie pop record. fun. is exactly that, a fun band which is sure to please any listener. I suggest you go out and get this album right away. You won't be disappointed.
Favorite tracks: Benson Hedges, All the Pretty Girls, The Gambler
For fans of: The Format, Steel Train
fun.'s myspace
genre: indie/pop
released: Aug. 25 2009
label: Nettwerk
Being someone who was never a big fan of the popular Arizona band The Format, I delved into this album without any real strong expectations, good or bad. But after listening to this album, I am very glad that Nate Ruess is back making music. After forming this band with Andrew Dost of Anathallo and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train, fun. has already had a big impact on the indie pop music scene, gaining a slot as an opening band for Jack's Mannequin on an upcoming North American tour. If you take the time to listen to album, you will understand why they deserve all the praise they have been receiving recently.
The album's first track "Be Calm" sets an appropriate tone for the rest of the album that follows. It starts off very slow in the beginning with an array of instruments backing the singing of Ruess. The song ultimately builds up into a frenzy over a 4 minute span, which will excite the listener for the following tracks. Track 2, "Benson Hedges", starts off with Ruess singing a choir-esque verse and goes right into a great musical collaboration that continues throughout the song. The drums set a great pace while the guitars and strings keep you nodding your head the entire time. "All the Pretty Girls" is a great choice for a single, which is a song about a boy who can't seem to get a girl out of head, no matter how hard he tries. A typical choice for a pop song idea, fun. hits the mark on the head with the extremely catchy chorus:
"All the pretty girls on a Saturday night/Let it be, and come to me with the look in your eyes/Will you break and take all the words from my mouth?/I wish all the pretty girls were shaking me down."
"I Wanna Be the One" shows a very happy ensemble of horns and drum beats that accompanies another strong lyrical performance, which is consistent throughout the album. "At Least I'm Not as Sad (As I Used to Be)", another album single, has the dueling male and female vocals which provide for a great sing-along. "Light a Roman Candle With Me" slows the pace a bit, but still keeps the listener toe-tapping with its lyrical rhymes and lighter instruments that provide a nice change. "Walking the Dog" starts off with a groove that lasts for the entire 3 and a half minutes. The "nah nah nah" that plays repeatedly will ultimately have you coming back to this song for multiple listens (I also enjoy the Boys of Summer reference in the bridge as well). Next, "Barlights" keeps with the theme of a large piano influence and poppy drums, with a calming guitar riff and more horns.
"The Gambler" is easily the prized piece of this album, and one listen will provide the proof. Ruess wrote this song, I believe, from the perspective of his mother, singing to his father. The piano and string/horn arrangement are the perfect choice to accompany this beautiful song. The lyrics alone are enough to make anyone appreciate the talented Ruess on his own, but the song as a whole really brings everything together in the end. My personal favorite on the album, "The Gambler" may also be my favorite song of the year, and if not, is a definite top 5. There aren't enough good things I can say about this song, you have to listen to it on your own to truly appreciate it. Lastly we have the 8 minute "Take Your Time (Coming Home)", which is a great end to an already excellent album. Although it is much longer than the previous tracks, it doesn't skip a beat and fits in beautifully with the rest of the album.
While fun. may not be exactly what fans of The Format expected, it certainly sets a very high bar for the rest of the bands in the genre. Aim and Ignite leaves the listener with a smile and an urge to replay the album over and over. This very catchy, poppy album is a breath of fresh air from the everyday indie pop record. fun. is exactly that, a fun band which is sure to please any listener. I suggest you go out and get this album right away. You won't be disappointed.
Favorite tracks: Benson Hedges, All the Pretty Girls, The Gambler
For fans of: The Format, Steel Train
fun.'s myspace
I have Anathallo's most recent posted on my page, for the record
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