Fang Island: Major

Fang Island
Major
Sargent House Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Fang Island return with an even bigger sound on their sophomore outing Major.

Album Review:
Following up a critically hailed debut is never easy and I will tell you right up front that fun rockers Fang Island do not surpass their excellent 2010 self-titled release here but it definitely is not for a lack of trying. The band once again comes at you on their sophomore outing Major with every catchy hook and upbeat rock out they can muster up but their core element of surprise is no longer a component.

Switching gears to a more "whole" sound on Major is a split decision for me. On some tracks like the shredding instrumental "Chompers" and the big and building "Asunder", Fang Island show off their new straightforward muscular approach which is loud, in your face and ultimately addicting. On other songs like "Never Understand" and "Chime Out" Fang Island feel like they try too hard to create a large anthem or moment that just never arrives.

Major is a big sounding album that has solid moments which fans should really dig. The band shows progression from their debut as every track on Major is fully realized and even the stripped acoustic opener "Kindergarten" and closer "Victorian" display a different side of the band that could lead to greater things. Major still feels more like a transition album though because Fang Island get caught up at times making big tracks and not memorable ones. At the conclusion of the album you still have songs that embed in your head and will have you going back as Fang Island survive the sophomore slump here and in the end will rock you out. 

Key Tracks: "Sisterly", "Asunder", "Chompers"

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Fang Island: Fang Island [Fire Note Review 3/16/10] [#28 Top 50 of 2010]

Fang Island Website
Fang Island Facebook
Sargent House Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony