Exeter: the new America
On your average day, the CDs hawked at gigs are usually amateurish affairs heading either for only the most avid collector’s shelves, or a band member’s garage for eternity. There are two reasons why this isn’t average: Count To Fire are an extraordinary band. Not only because they’re from Exeter and include violin on most of their songs. But because we haven’t heard of them before. The second reason would be that this album’s already gaining attention in the charts and from niche magazines.
First track ‘Endless Sea’ is a gorgeously drifting ballad that sways in and out like the tide. The long opening note builds gradually into acoustic guitars and percussion in an unhurried, melancholy stream. If the Dandy Warhols had gone mainstream after ’13 Tales…’ this may be something like it should have sounded. Count To Fire steer clear of the whining Coldplay-style acoustic, and closer towards the heartaching melodies of Neil Young and Ryan Adams.
Count To Fire’s brand of lush Americana is far rawer than anything currently charting, but all the elements of thoughtful songwriting and irresistible melodies are already in place. ‘Caroline’ is a perfect mix of vulnerable yet pitch-perfect vocals and the blend of instruments that dissolve together to create a solid sound without a note out of place. There are even hints towards a darker sound for the group with the heavier-feeling ‘Dark Days’ and ‘Rain Coat’. But overall the general sound doesn’t stray too far from the troubadour Dylan lyrics and slow-building electric Americana melodies. But it’s obvious that it’s not an American band, not just because of the vocals. Which mean’s it’s a curious mixture of British piano-rooted indie and American acoustic guitar sounds.
It’s fairly heavy going as an album because of the consistent melancholy air, until the strange optimism of brighter-sounding tracks ‘Waiting On A Ghost’ and ‘Trapped Inside A Box’, perhaps the least acoustic-sounding of the album. Particularly ‘Trapped Inside A Box’ with its screaming guitar whine and swirling instrumental section.
Having seen these guys live and then heard the CD, it’s clear they have an established sound with plenty of potential to move on. Right now, the CD is one for enthusiasts, but if this was released on a major label it’s mix of indie and pop would do extremely well.