Review Summary: Improving greatly from their debut release, Arsonists Get All The Girls' "The Game of Life" shows a huge progression in songwriting and instrumentation, while keeping their signature sound. A very enjoyable, refreshing listen.
It's 2007 and I hadn't heard much about Arsonists Get All The Girls. A couple of my friends were telling me about their debut full length "Hits From The Bow," and I had heard mixed reviews from person to person. I immediately checked it out and I was also unsure what to think about AGATG. The instrumentation was kind of sloppy but in a way, it worked to a certain extent. Although songs like "Scobra VS Cupcake" and "Limbo" were fairly well put together, the album as a whole, didn't really do it for me. For the record, AGATG are not your regular metal band. They incorporate jazz, noise rock vocals and electronic synthesizer parts to add to their very strange sound.
A couple of weeks later, I had heard about a Century Media release of their new album, "The Game of Life." I was interested in finding out if they had improved, but I was also going into it with a hit or miss mindset. The release date came around and I went out and picked up my copy of "The Game of Life." I was instantly drawn in by the artwork. The booklet had very dark and rough artwork, which came off really cool in my opinion. So by that point, I was hoping this CD wouldn't let me down.
At first listen, I noticed right away that AGATG had improved their song structures, as well as their instrumentation. I would go out to say that EVERY member of the band have stepped up their skills and learned how to feed off each other’s strengths. The dual vocalist approach is much more noticeable and very refreshing, giving more dynamic to their overall sound. The biggest improvement was all the instruments weren't fighting for space; everything was spread out more evenly and placed appropriately.
Looking that the introduction track, "Business In The Front," the clean guitar and build up make it feel like a real intro to a CD. "Save the Castle, Screw the Princess" was a real highlight for me. Not only did it follow the instrumental intro track perfectly, it has catchy hooks and the keys make for a real treat towards the end of the song. The keyboard tones improved and the production is tighter, which makes this element much more effective. “Shoeshine for Neptune” came off as a hit and a miss in my opinion. The beginning of the song seemed a bit unstructured, only to be saved by the sweeping/breakdown parts of the song that came in doses.
Now, if you think that AGATG have stepped out of their original sound, you're sort of wrong. They have a kind of sloppy way of performing and a real grimy feel, and they have kept that element with them. The better production and engineering didn't take away to their raw feel but made it more accessible.
"The Game of Life" is filled with real gems. Arsonists Get All The Girls pump out a variety of different tracks ranging from the 1:18 onslaught which is "Mantipede" to the 48 second grinding of "To Get Eaten By The Rats." The last 6 tracks of the album were astounding. I was really surprised about how much better the album got as I went on. "Claiming Middle Age a Decade Early" incorporates everything AGATG and makes for a very enjoyable listen. It starts with a ska/funk riff that dives right into their grind influence. The end of the song is one of the best uses of keyboards that AGATG have under their belt. The song structures really show improvement throughout the end of the album. "Thirteen Year Old Ruby" utilizes the jazz elements throughout the first minute, taking a needed break from the vocalist attack and focusing on the instruments.
"Robondo De Los Muertos" starts with a memorable keyboard phrase that you'll be humming with your friends for days to come. The end of the song has some very cool harmonizing guitar parts, giving the listener a little more melodic version of AGATG. "So You Think You Know About The Game of Life" is the short and sweet. The chant at the end of the song is a perfect closer to a very a strong sophomore release from a relatively average band.
Although many people will probably write off Arsonists Get All The Girls as mediocre, unstructured and just another metal band, I have found a fond enjoyment when I listen to these guys. They incorporate enough variety of different styles to keep it interesting. AGATG have finally found their niche, if they pick up on their weaknesses with each release, I’m sure they will gain more credibility as musicians and songwriters and bring a much-needed spark to an increasingly bland metal scene.
