I'm sorry, I guess I'm just an old fart, (although on most days I feel like I'm still only about 14 but I guess that's normal for most men, even ones closer to 50 than 40), but I just don't get this indie/alt rock thing. I've heard, I don't know how many bands that fall into that category, and quite frankly I can't really see what makes them so different from the main stream rock and roll I've been hearing on FM radio stations for 30 years.
I hate to break it to people but loud guitars and feedback have been around since the '60s and it sure as hell doesn't make you alternative. The only reason I can think of why these guitar bands have been called alternative is because there's been such a paucity of anybody playing music with actual instruments on the pop charts that people with no memory of what music sounds like get all excited. Okay so that really does sound like the rant of an old fart doesn't it - well I don't apologize- nobody's forcing you to read this anyway.
Of course, when you do finally hear something that's a real alternative it sticks out and makes you realize just how bad everything else really is. To be honest the first time I listened to The Places We Lived, Backyard Tire Fire's forthcoming release on Hyena Records (August 26, 2008) I was ready to toss it on the pile of just another band not worth listening to rejects as it sounded far too much like every other so called alternative band. Yet something about them niggled at the back of my mind, and I decided to give them another listen.
It's a good thing I did, because otherwise I would have done these three guys (Ed Anderson guitar, keyboards, and vocals; Matt Anderson bass; and Tim Kramp drums) from the Midwest a huge disservice by ignoring what they were doing. Instead of being just another collection of guitar driven, middle of the road rock music full of stolen riffs from some of the worst excesses of the 1970's, these guys know how to write and arrange songs and understand what melody means. What held my attention on that first listen had been their vocal arrangements on the first couple of songs, especially track two "Shoulda Shut It".
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Article comments
1 - Larry Here
Glad you liked BTF's new one. I haven't heard it yet, but will. One point, and I hope this doesn't go against your "comment policy" (see above) - I think you have missed something. These guys, Backyard Tire Fire, are most commonly put in the genre, ALT COUNTRY, now more commonly known as a type of Americana. By calling their music "Alternative," you are mislabeling - Alternative is a kind of pop, more radio friendly and commercial. These guys come from a more rural tradition, maybe related to bands like Drive By Truckers, Old 97s and say... Um, John Mellencamp (?). They are not related musically to Matchbox 20, Nickelback, Tool or even... Superchunk. Whole different ROOTS, hence, your correct noting of the songwriting quality and singing etc. Good band, but misguided, if positive , review. What do you say?
2 - George
Hi Larry - I am also a big Backyard Tire Fire fan, I would agree with you on the Americana/Roots tag, but if you listen to the new one which I was able to on Rhapsody (for free!) I think you'll perhaps hear why Richard lumped it into Alternative. While it's still got the Roots backbone it definitely has a lot of nuanced "alternative/indie" sounding experimentation. Think White Album Beatles, IMHO.
3 - Matt Macevic
Backyard Tire Fire is a great 'live' band. I listen to their albums but I have to say that I enjoy their live shows so much more. I've spoken to all three members are they're just nice guys period. I'm starting to dig the new tunes. Can't wait to see and hear the Steve Berlin produced new album of material.