Review Summary: Throw ska, hardcore, punk, metal, experimental, jazz, reggae and any other genre you can think of into a meat grinder and your tasty by-product will be the Flaming Tsunamis
Ska and hardcore never really got along, like back in elementary school when hardcore would give ska wedgies and noogies until he gave up hjs lunch money and in high school where hardcore would always steal ska's girls. Then came along Connecticut locals the Flaming Tsunamis who made ska and hardcore into best friends. After six years of packed American Legions and VFW halls, the ska-core veterans turned their sights onto a broader style, hence creating Fear Everything. Rather than just combining ska upstroke and horns with breakdowns, TFT threw everything into the mix; freestyle jazz, reggae, strong metal riffs and even a bit of grindcore. Upon reading this, you're probably thinking "All of that mixed together probably sounds like ***" but one would be surprised upon their first listen.
The album opens up with building feedback that leads into the powerful Ritalin Conspiracy, a big middle finger towards prescription drug companies pushing their mindnumbing pills on everyone. By the end of the song, you'll be ready to pile-on and scream "There is absolutely nothing wrong with us"
Without even pausing, Birdwatching and Vice Versa picks up and brings back memories of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (I'm probably the only one who thinks that) mixed with breakdowns and ska (which would have made it perfect for the movie's soundtrack)
Corpse Disposal for Dummies, the first rereleased track on the song shows off the band's love for zombies with the line 'The dead won't stay in the ground, that's okay we like them around'
Fear Everything, the title track, is a powerful (and forewarning) statement about America's mindless colonization of the rest of the world and is also probably the first time the word 'homogenize' has ever been used in a song.
The Great Red Cross Robbery is the second novelty song on the album (after Birdwatching) and one of the best. This song will leave you wondering whether you should be skanking or moshing because of the constant changing of the two genres.
If You Really Love Me is another great song about love and zombies because what would love be without zombies? It also has an excellent bass intro
The First Rule continues the theme of zombies and them fighting against the government (which is made pretty obvious by the line "BOMB THE WHITE HOUSE!") but why zombies would fight just the government is beyond me
Satan vs. The United States of America is the second rereleased song (and in much better form) of Fear Everything. The focus of the song is how people blame everything 'evil' on the devil when they are the ones that are carrying out such acts (plus the song ends with the best line of the album)
World of Chaos begins with a intro from the world's most unappreciated instrument, the accordian. The song leads in slow but before you know it, you're knee deep in bodies, fists and sweat flying at you in the middle of the elks club but then another ska break lets you escape around all the skanking.
Bennett Brauer is probably the most random (but oddly not out of place) song on the album. After a quick clip from the late Chris Farley, the song hits you...well, like a flaming tsunamis. Obviously grindcore and obviously about nothing (if you read the lyrics) it shows the band's love for uncomprehensible music.
Weaug Teaug Peaug (The Powder of Life) gives your ears a chance to recover from the previous track. The lengthy song is a very relaxing change from the rest of the album, a calming reggae beat lead by a strong horns section. The end of the song slowly builds up as it leads into the album's last song
*** Piss Die, the last track (and probably my favorite) begins with a scary statement about humans being nothing more than cattle to the government. This song is an excellent mix of metal, punk and hardcore with constant builds and powerful breakdowns which puts an excellent end to the album.
Overall, I would have to say this is one of my favorite albums as well as bands. They have toured most of the US three times, are looking to tour the West Coast and Europe soon and stay true to their DIY roots. Their live shows encompass every bit of energy that their music contains. I've seen this band eight times and was blown away by their performance no matter what the situation (blown PA's, zombie vs robots pool noodle fights, wall of deaths, broken legs, busted heads and lips). This is my first review that I've ever done and everyone who will read this will probably say "Wow, this kid knows nothing about music" which is mostly true even despite the fact I play guitar and bass but no one had reviewed this album or band and I just wanted to get their name out to the masses.
