Fightstar--They Liked You Better When You Were Dead

The buzz surrounding Fightstar creates a shroud of expectation and dread when popping in their US debut, They Liked You Better When You Were Dead. Will they be good? Actually good? Or just another group of manufactured hype? But your fears aside, Fightstar are worth every word. These Englanders know how to rock, their frontman Charlie Simpson being a veteran of UK pop band Busted, and they show that off throughout the nine tracks. "Palahnik’s Laughter" captures such energy and power without coming off as pretentious. Simpson’s vocals are mainstream enough to stay inoffensive, yet hold their own gritty uniqueness to the point where you could pick out his voice on the radio. Showing they can keep your ear without the volume, "Amethyst" masterfully blends just enough dynamics to stay away from the standard tear-shedding acoustic piece, but shows good diversity from earlier explosive tracks. Blending influences like Thursday and Lostprophets, Fightstar capture the intensity right from the get-go, giving them time to wander through quieter pieces like "Cross Out the Stars" and not lose your attention. Uniquely their own, Fightstar adds their own touches. This band will be big, and their US debut is better than most entrenched power-punk groups out there. More than anything: nine tracks just aren’t enough. Give us more Fightstar!

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)