Fire Theft

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
The second single from the veteran Scottish rockers' eighth studio album, 1999's 'Driving To Damascus'. A double A-side, this part is backed with the previously unreleased non-album track 'This Blood's For You' (master standard recorded at album session)

Tracks:

Untitled
Waste Time Segue
Oceans Apart
Chain
Backward Blues
Summertime
Houses
Waste Time
Heaven
Rubber Bands
It's Over
Carry You
Sinatra

Amazon.com

It might look essentially like a Sunny Day Real Estate reunion record, but Fire Theft is decidedly a more focused, and far less conflicted band. The overall sound is still a poignant mix of dramatic indie-rock with histrionic punk rock energy, and three of the four emo originators are here--singer/guitarist Jeremy Enigk, bassist Nate Mendel, drummer William Goldsmith--but Fire Theft sounds arena-ready from the get-go. Embracing their inner rock stars, their debut is trippy but smart, as likely to appeal to fans of Phish and Rush as Sunny Day's many imitators. This album has sweetly self-effacing bedroom anthems such as "Houses" and mid-tempo minor-keyed anthems like "Waste Time." But Fire Theft explodes with the energy of classic arena rock while the artsy instrumentals seem to have come from a long summer at Robert Fripp guitar camp. At times it devolves into pompous camp ("Uncle Mountain") but overall this is a lovely, sweeping album. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

Remarkable.......2007-05-10

I picked up this album after hearing a few songs. It absolutely floored me. This is far and away the best album of 2003. This is top 20 of the decade stuff in my opinion.

While there are nods to Sunny Day Real Estate, The Fire Theft is a band taking a new direction without it sounding forced. Don't be mistaken: this is a rock album and not so much emo, though one track has an emo feel ("It's Over," and it's reminiscent of SDRE).

Singer/songwriter Jeremy Enigk, who sounds like a cross between Robert Plant and Micheal Stipe, pours it all out over atmospheric synths, fuzz-distorted guitars, wandering basslines, and crashing drums. And it works impeccably well. Check out "Heaven," "Summertime," and "Sinatra." Then hear the rest of the album. This is a masterpiece in my mind.

Probably?.......2006-09-02

If you are looking for THE RISING TIDE PART II, this ain't it, honey. I found this record to be lacking in the traditional pop and melody sensibilities that made TRT so special and beautiful.
Prog? Probably. Sweeping, passionate and beautiful? Probably not.
Sometimes I can get by with Jeremy's voice alone, as I did on the Frog Prince. This time I took the CD over to the "sell your stuff" store.

Things change.......2006-06-16

The talent is evident, but none of the songs demand to be heard like before. And since I got into SDRE very recently, I can confidently say that nostalgia does not affect my judgement here. The Fire Theft sounds more like craftsmanship than artistry. I get the same magic that I did from How It Feels (my favorite album of theirs), but it only lasts for a section of a song here and there. It seems as though the source of their inspiration has moved away from what moves me. And what moves me no longer moves them.

It's almost like running into an old girlfriend and finding out that you have nothing in common any more. She's forgotten all the things you like and is into things that you don't think are very interesting. In both cases, though, we at least have the memories to fall back on. And in the case of SDRE/Fire Theft, we even have the old albums we can pop in the player any time. If this album disappoints you as it did me, do not lament. Instead, listen to the earlier stuff again and celebrate the fact that those albums were made in the first place and are still in print.

In their continuing quest to evolve, I think they've made a few missteps, like the minute-long outro that takes the fire right out of the otherwise dark and propulsive "Carry You." Experimentally entertaining, yes, but I wish they had cut the last section into a separate segue track. I think that section stands better on its own as a separate piece and would be all the more interesting for its featured placement.

The self-titled album is certainly a respectable artistic achievement. They haven't gone overboard into adult contemporary or something. They haven't sold out to the synth like so many bands tragically did in the 80s. And while the strings are a bit much, they never feel like an attempt to artificially inflate the appeal of a song. It's just workmanlike by comparison. Passion for making music is still strong, but the often harrowing sonic therapy of their earlier work has apparently been concluded to Enigk's satisfaction. The nearly schizophrenic highs and lows and unique sound that made them a magnetic listen have solved with the pill of time, and what's left is sturdy, pleasant, and not especially memorable.

hilarious.......2005-12-10

"this is limp wristed man wankery at it's utmost lamest"
that might be the funniest thing i have ever read on this site. i love the band and all, but thats just funny i dont care who you are. if you're a fan of good music...get this cd, im sure you'll like it.

What a surprise.......2005-07-09

I think the 62 reviews already written have pretty much covered it. This album blew me away. I expected something I would enjoy, but had no idea how amazing this album was going to be.

I too cannot believe this album didn't completely explode. Bravo!

Seriously, this album is really, really good.

Average customer rating:

CAVALLOMINTS is wrong
it's a u2 song!!!
Good
Sucks
Great edition!

Chain
The Fire Theft
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Fire Theft
World Waits
Live

ASIN: B00013RCCA
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Tracks:

Chain (Album Version)
Sinatra (Album Version)
Hands On You

Customer Reviews:

CAVALLOMINTS is wrong.......2004-03-04

ITs not desire!!!IT s another one maybe INSX...good vocals by enigk ...the best singer of all indie metal

it's a u2 song!!!.......2004-03-03

Marcos was totally right.Its Desire of U2 in hte same key-Chain the main single make my immagination fly in a field full of horses

Good.......2004-02-22

The last guy who posted said that track 2 was a U2 song?? THats way wrong. The only reason this single is worth buying is for the song "Hands on You". All the other songs you can get from buying the full lenght.

Hands on You is an amazing guitar song. Really wish it had made the final album cut, but it was not yet finished. Its got a more dark sound to it thats along the lines of carry you from the self titled. Any real fan of the band would want this song, if you dont feel like buying this try and find it online. They have demo versions floating about all over the internet. THis is the new version and is not easy to find online.

Sucks.......2004-01-28

Worst than a full album.Track 2 is a cover of U2.it sucks!

Great edition!.......2004-01-28

Spend 5 bucks for this limited edition it's worth it!Very Rare ..pay attention at track n.2 ...great surprise!

Average customer rating:

Great music, worth the price?

Chain
The Fire Theft
Manufacturer: Pinnacle UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000EWR66
Release Date: 2003-12-23

Tracks:

Fire Theft [Album Version]
Sinatra [Album Version]
Hands on You [*]

Album Description

The first single taken from, 'The Fire Theft', the 2003 debut album for indie act featuring former members of Sunny Day Real Estate. The title track is backed with 'Sinatra' & one non-LP track 'Hands On You'. Rykodisc.

Album Details

Original Sunny Day Real Estate Members Jeremy Enigk, William Goldsmith and Nate Mendel have Reunited to Form the Fire Theft. Includes Exclusive B-side.

Customer Reviews:

Great music, worth the price?.......2003-11-21

Three really good songs, two of which can be heard on the US Version of "The Fire Theft." The third song is a good song, but as with most 'B-Sides,' there is a reason it was left off the major release.

My only real concern is the cost. Would you play four dollars per song, when you could spend (at the most) $13 dollars for the full album. Doing the math that's only $1 (at most) per song. Even to hear 'Hands on You' or just as a collector, I don't think it's worth it.