Review Summary: A catchy debut indie-rock album told from an almost impersonal first person view point
Arms is the side/solo project of Todd Goldstein, guitarist for the now defunct
Harlem Shakes. Arms has been around a bit longer than the aforementioned band, however their album wasnt released in the US until the fall of 2009, after seeing a UK release quite some time earlier. The upbeat, positive and nostalgia crammed full length
Technicolor Health released early in 2009 by the Harlem Shakes provides a great juxtaposition to
Kids Aflame.
After a brief intro, the first full length song
Whirring appears, and we are treated to a simple and very catchy set of notes strummed over an electric guitar. Whirring is easily the most accessible and closest thing to "indie-pop" we will see on the record. Coincidentally its also the most comparable song to anything from Technicolor Health, both musically and lyrically, as this will be one of the only songs on Kids Aflame that has a somewhat positive outlook or anything other than acoustic instruments. Goldstein keeps things acoustic and low key for the greater part of the album, allowing most songs to be driven by his airy voice floating from one line to the next. The entire album has a very lo-fi feel to it, and due to this, distinguishing any kind of bass or drum work is relatively difficult.
Songs here typically follow a soft intro/build up format, although it's nothing as grand as you'll see from someone like
Arcade Fire. There are a few departures here and there however, most notably the excellent title track which is driven simply by Goldstein's soothing vocals and ukulele.
Lyrically, Kids Aflame is a first person narrative told with a very "this moment and time" feel to it. Which can be a positive or a negative depending upon the listener. Eg. from
Construction:
"Think of your parents
And may they rest in peace
If they were here to see this ungodly mess
It would scare them half to death
This wasn't what we planned you know
We stay inside on Sunday mornings
Sleeping through construction and
The pounding of the rain"
Depending on how much you can relate to Goldstein's life and times you will either find these lyrics to strike a personal chord with you or be completely pointless and obtuse. In addition to this potentially off-putting aspect, Kids Aflame is incredibly negative. Aside from one or two examples nearly every song depicts a man who is lonely no matter whats going on around him.
Personally I enjoyed the simplicity of the music accompanied by Goldsteins situation specific lyrics but I wouldnt recommend this to someone looking for a more upbeat sound.
Recommended tracks:
Whirring
Kids Aflame
Tiger Tamer
