Fierce Bad Rabbit - Fierce Bad Rabbit
By Matthew Martin
The album starts off with happy high notes, leading the way into a
melancholy mood swing towards the mellow and somber. The first track,
“Everything Is Alright,” is a friendly opener for an album with great
pop sensibility. It reminds me a little of Mark Mallman mixed with a
bit of mid 70’s Rod Stewart. It’s the way the keys sound and a few
lines of vocals that remind me of the way Stewart sings.
Singer, keyboardist and songwriter Chris Anderson, formerly of The Jimi
Austin, said it was the first happy song that he has ever written. Yet
aside from the first track, the album does not completely break free
from being a sad album overall. Songs “Sink like a Stone,” “Looking for
Shore,” and “Mon Ami” remain in the category of sad bastard music.
It is Alana Rolfe, also of Stella Luce, who brings the album cohesion.
Without her viola, the album would be left unfulfilled. Anderson stated
that the songs seemed unfinished even during the recording process
until Rolfe added just a little improv on her viola to complete them.
Bass player Dayton Hicks, also of Arliss Nancy, says that he is prouder
of this album than any other music he has ever worked on. He said while
smiling, “It’s something I could play for my grandma.”
Light
high hats from drummer Adam Pitner work well with Anderson’s keys on
“The Tie That Binds” to create a low-key jazz club feel. Overall, this
is a mostly mellow album that’s a pleasure to listen to. FBR’s next
show is at Road 34 on July 24th.