While I don’t recommend people download full CDs, sometimes I have to symapthise with those who do. I ordered this CD more than two months ago – as many other PT-ers did – and it’s still not turned up. Despite sending a couple of emails to the label asking where it was, I’ve only received one reply saying it had been sent. Sent where I’m not sure, but certainly not to where it should have gone. And with the buzz about Fireworks already starting to reach Hit The Lights-esque proportions, and $11.25 lighter without a physical product at the end of it, I don’t feel too guilty for illegally downloading it. After all, if labels don’t actually send out what you’ve paid for, how on Earth are you supposed to hear the record?
Rant over, Fireworks are ultra poppy pop-punk in the style of Race The Sun, Hit The Lights and New Found Glory. And while they don’t do anything that’s not been done better before, their brand of melodic, hook-filled pop-punk is excellent summer music and will surely propell them into the bigger leagues. They follow a very obvious style of music which has been trademarked by a number of bands before them, but the vocal harmonies and hooks on ‘Cardellini’ showcase a band destined for thousands of stereos worldwide.
‘From Mountain Movers To Lazy Lovers’ is a great way to kick this EP off, and instantly reminds me of the first time I stumbled across Hit The Lights in terms of how the songs are structured and the way in which the vocal harmonies work brilliantly. ‘You Weren’t Born With A Bag Of Sand In Your Hands‘ is great too, one of those tracks that just begs for a singalong. While Fireworks haven’t quite nailed their display, their making loud enough bangs to get the attention of those on the underground – expect some pretty major moves sometime soon…if their label managed to fulfill their CD orders, that is.