Fumes, The - Sundancer (Album)
» The Fumes announce tour dates - January 14, 2009
» Queens Of The Stone Age - City Hall, Tas - April 4, 2008
» The Vasco Era - Zoo, The, QLD - November 9, 2007
» Nothing To Fume About - April 19, 2009
» Rumours and Time Travel with Steve, From The Fumes - March 7, 2007
If you have been wondering where our favourite bluesy duo have been it is with great excitement that I announce that The Fumes are back with a second attempt at this long player we know as an album. Sundancer will be in stock in good retail stores by the end of this week and it delivers the sound we all love from this pair with their high-energy rock and their dash of blues.
The record does begin in a somewhat unexpected way, a lazy organ introduction to what can be described as intermission music inside a theatre but soon we discover, The Fumes cut the crap and we are blown away by Joel's bashing of that snare and Steve's distorted guitar when they begin their first song Who Do You Love. I know it has been said before but I shall add to everyone’s assertion, just by listening to the disc you wouldn't know that there is anyone missing in the band. For a two-piece they sure do know how to fill the sound of silence.
My original 'best song' pick from Sundancer would have been High City Lights as I liked the guitar lick accompanying Merry’s voice while Joel maintains a subtle presence with the beat of the toms but as the song ended and Never Gonna Get Back Home begins I have an epiphany. At three quarters through, I have come to realise that Steve somewhat hides his more sensitive side. Sure the emotions are present inside the angrier songs such as Stay The Liar but to come out and slow everything right down, even halving the band member use to just a piano is another matter. Those changes are what make Never Gonna Get Back Home my favourite from Sundancer. Sorry Joel I like your beats but track seven took me by surprise and it was a nice lullaby to this flu bed ridden reviewer. When the Psychedelic Warlord followed it's almost as if Steve has realised there is a crowd watching on and brings it back to the familiar sound as if it is a front to hide his vulnerability.
Highlights during my delirium would've been the genesis of Stay The Liar which started my sea shanty of “What would you do with a drunken sailor”, the classic blues slide by Merry's on The Letter and for those who have seen The Fumes live within the past year will find the final track very familiar as they have tested this out to the crowd. Glad to hear it made the cut and I would gladly say this album is just as good as the first and forget all the myth about the horrid “sophomore album” title. Do yourself a favour and Cuddle up the Devil by grabbing yourself a copy.
