Fireworks’ new album, “Oh, Common Life” came out, and though I’ve been lost in lo-fi indie land for a bit, I decided to give it a listen considering I’m catching them on The Greatest Generation Tour soon. I knew they were gonna be riddled with pop punk riffs and I didn’t expect them to be anything impressive, but boy was I wrong.
“Bed Sores” is a phenomenal track. The guitar riffs are so catchy, it feels so dancey and not like it’s gonna break into an angst fest. I love it. It’s nothing like I thought it would be, and is ten times better than what I imagined. I love the vocalist, and how he has a higher pitch. He also must have perfect pitch or brilliant vocal training because his voice is spot-on constantly.
My favorite track on the album is “Woods”. The complexity of it proves that these guys aren’t just a flash in the pan. Sometimes their sound reminds me a bit of Danger Radio, a band I used to absolutely love as a teenybopper. That nostalgic feel they give me is brilliant, and to be honest, they’re way more cookie cutter pop than the other bands on the lineup, but it’s not a terrible thing. Well…that’s only because I really dig it. They sound so commercial and like they could be on the radio, and something about that really appeals to me, and it’s especially obvious in this song.
Not even a song called “The Only Creature That Haunts This House Is Me” is emo sounding with Fireworks. It’s still a tune that could be in an MTV sitcom or on the prom queen’s party playlist. I don’t get why people who are edgy and alternative claim to love this band so much. You’d think they would shy away from the bright cheery could-tour-with-All-Time-Low sound, but for some reason, Fireworks is still the beacon of light for countless “pop punk kids”.
“Oh, Common Life” is an outstanding record. Though quite ‘mainstream’-sounding and not as pop punk as it claims, it’s a good listen and a good starter album for anyone getting more into said pop-punk scene. It’s well done, very smooth, and ridiculously catchy. Check it out here:
