Lakeland, Florida has given birth to spawn that has been attempted by many. Consisting of four members, Mouse Fire's debut album Wooden Teeth slices, blends, sometimes smothers, and completes the emo-pop sound forged in the beginning of the 2000's. Musically enchanting in its own right, every one of the twelve tracks contains a sense of musical prowess. Undoubtedly, the talent of these four individuals has been personified over the years.
Vocal frontman and guitarist, Joey Bruce illustrates a mature control of melody and experimentation. He takes risks numerously throughout the album, taking his voice to new levels, attempting new genres of sound. On occasion he falls short, but never the less the attempt portrays a dignified approach to the artistic value of music. Don't box me in, the essential philosophy. Though Mr. Bruce is not a vocal master as of yet, it is a possibility that his crisp and clean musical pronunciation will take him far in the future.
Structurally the band takes fewer risks with lots of hooks. The rhythmic value of each song eventually evolves, if not begins with, a single beat per chord progression. The guitars then follow up with an atmospheric solo-esque, which complicates the music at times, but still keeping it ground nonetheless. In the rhythm section nothing elegant is pronounced, however sometimes that can be positive attribute. Unfortunately, though the talent and skill is present, the creative process enveloping the bass and drum is thin. Simplistic, common, and cliché are words that come to mind. Not necessarily a negative trait, but a bruise for musically cultured tastes.
The recording itself is very well done. The mixing is solid throughout the album and nothing is out of proportion, props to the record label. Say yeah! Each song attempts to complete itself but instead seems to carry on to the next song, providing a repetitive element. It is difficult to imagine one dropping song titles off this album. For a debut album this is definitely a jewel of their time, possibly loved in later generations, but for now the band has a lot of growing to do. Not musically, but creatively. Hooks don't always sell; they just grab ones attention by accident.
See also
Gatsby's American Dream, Kaddisfly, Mae, Emo-Pop
