Firetail’s ‘Learning to Cheat’ is an ambient record of absolute hope. Whatever the sound appears to go it remains incurably optimistic. The aural colors of these two songs are so bright it is simply amazing. Experimentation with format, taking a calmer route (for the first track) or a more aggressive approach (for the second track) makes for a unified whole. Both parts work together to complement the other. Put together the result is something to be wondered about in awe.
‘End = Beginning’ takes the mellower approach out of the two tracks. The sound is Post-Rock without the crescendo. Lingering tones make themselves more powerful without the typical release that most ambient rock outfits aim for. Firetail is confident in their ability to display wonder without the need to increase the volume or intensity. On the finale of ‘Floating Around’ Firetail uses a different approach to achieve the same means. Here the Post-Rock leanings receive large dollops of distortion. Reminiscent of shoegaze the sound is particularly blurry. In spite of the initial lack of definition the melody comes together into a particularly satisfying whole.
Ambient rock rarely sounds as it does on ‘Learning to Cheat’. Firetail creates a true gem of an EP with these two songs. By cutting out any trace of fat the result is sound that hits straight for the heart. This is an emotional release that feels every single tone to the fullest. ‘Learning to Cheat’ commands respect without saying a word.
‘End = Beginning’ takes the mellower approach out of the two tracks. The sound is Post-Rock without the crescendo. Lingering tones make themselves more powerful without the typical release that most ambient rock outfits aim for. Firetail is confident in their ability to display wonder without the need to increase the volume or intensity. On the finale of ‘Floating Around’ Firetail uses a different approach to achieve the same means. Here the Post-Rock leanings receive large dollops of distortion. Reminiscent of shoegaze the sound is particularly blurry. In spite of the initial lack of definition the melody comes together into a particularly satisfying whole.
Ambient rock rarely sounds as it does on ‘Learning to Cheat’. Firetail creates a true gem of an EP with these two songs. By cutting out any trace of fat the result is sound that hits straight for the heart. This is an emotional release that feels every single tone to the fullest. ‘Learning to Cheat’ commands respect without saying a word.