The New Heathers – The Fuel, The Fire, The Spark EP – Review

Release Date: September 22nd, 2009
Record Label: Redbird Records
Genre: Indie

If you get a chance to look at the reverse side of The New Heathers latest EP “The Fuel, The Fire, The Spark,” which features a trio convincingly dressed as a sad clown, a bear, and a whip-wielding ringmaster, you would never guess that they aren’t just some lame guys dressed up as they appear to be, but rather the genius’ behind the underrated pop-rock success story, Ludo. Well, not all of them, just Tim Ferrell, Tim Convy, and Matt Palermo, (everyone except the lead singer Andrew Volpe). I guess while Ludo was on break, the guys in the background had some time to step into the spotlight.

The result is the some-what aging rock persona of “The Fuel, The Fire, The Spark.” The smooth sailing indie rock of Ludo is almost all abolished from this groups material. What replaces it in the beginning is quirky, stop and go paced, almost Queen-like, rock — complete with enough moog/synth and moody indie to choke all those pseudo-intellectual glasses wearing, Rivers Cuomo look-a-likes out there. As the EP takes its course however, tracks like “Start” and “Hammer & Chisel” take a more traditional punk structure ala Lagwagon, which feature electronic-tinged keyboards reminiscent of Motion City Soundtrack. Of course that may feel like a stretched analogy for some, but The New Heathers aren’t the most conventional band. Finalizing the effort, the slow building swan song of “Santa Rosa,” feels like the albums most honest entry, with generic rock pushed aside for a more emotional and more even-handed stance.

I often question why people in bands (that are currently active) go and start time-consuming side projects. Wouldn’t it put a strain on the original band? I’m sure it would. Luckily Ludo is its own creature and so is the newly formed The New Heathers. They don’t interfere with each other because the wonky indie that inhabits “The Fuel, The Fire, The Spark” feels more like an exotic (yet still very important) part of the band members creative motions — and not the catchy rock that everyone has come to know and love. That may be a deal breaker for some, but it shouldn’t be. So if you are a fan of bands like Ludo and the other moog/synth bands out there, then this EP ain’t too shabby. It is a little awkward and uneven while you listen to it, but once you find the few tracks that don’t go back and forth, you will be able to put them on repeat several times. ~Staff

Score: 3/5

Track Listing:
1. Agatha
2. Mr. Green Blades
3. The Fuel, The Fire, The Spark
4. Start
5. Hammer & Chisel
6. Santa Rosa