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eucil  07/14/2005          
Why Should the Fire Die?
Unless an album is simply a masterpiece it will have highs and lows. This album really sets a very high standard to every song which makes the highs of the album hard to discern as excellent above the rest. It is such an easy album to get lost in, with a few songs which keep you clicking the rewind button over and over. Opening with "When in Rome," I was brought into the CD immediately by the uptempo swagger of the song and the sheer tightness of the tune. As always the harmonies are flawless, wild and well blended. Another of the distinguished highpoints of the album is "Helena," having an emotional and musical build which climaxes in a highly anticipated drum entrance. Following "When in Rome" is "Someone Like You" which seems to correlate with "Helena" lyrics-wise with a bitter post-separation dread. These songs truly are the highlights of the album for me. The slower songs are mostly "sweet" musically with the exception of "Eveline" with has a very distinctive heavy tone which undoubtably gives the entire song a very eerie overtone. In addition to "Eveline," "Can't Complain" carries a unique electronic element not found elsewhere in the album. It is very slight but still a noticeable portion of the album which spices up the otherwise organic sound. The brief story "Anthony" is also a unique portion of the album carrying a slightly 1920's tune with a repetitive riff to accent the repetitive 'Anthony's heard throughout. As if to appease my love for instrumentals, Scotch and Chocolate fills the void with a very fiery breakout and finish. The instruments are extremely tight and it truly reveals the unique quilt of musicianship that is Nickel Creek. The lowest point of the album has to be "Best of Luck" simply because it sounds like an attempt to write inside of a genre. The overprocessed, clicheed female vocals along with the chorus' predictable melody only serve to degrade from the album. It isn't a bad song, but truly could have been omitted from what is otherwise an excellent album. Those who value the hard right and left guitar/mandolin with center violin balance of Nickel Creek will be delighted at first listen. With the similar panning of the voices it literally feels like you are sitting at a campfire with the Sean Sara and Chris.


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