Now, before I start I just want to say that this EP is probably the most anticipated release in the UK of 2005, which is very strange especially for an EP. People from the UK will know exactly why this EP is so anticipated although people from US probably won’t as I gather Busted never did crack America, you lucky lucky people. Basically (for those who don’t) Singer/Guitarist Charlie Simpson used to be in a hugely popular pop band called ‘Busted’ but he recently quit the band to concentrate fully on his Post Hardcore side Project ‘Fightstar’. A lot of rock fans in the UK will probably refuse to give Fightstar a chance because of Busted, however although I really disliked Busted I am willing to give Fightstar the chance they deserve and let their music speak for itself.
Right clarification over and on to the business in hand - The EP starts out with the first Fightstar single ‘Palahniuk’s Laughter’ and it’s a really good track to start off with and to introduce the band. The vocals on the track sound awesome as do the backing vocals and it’s a really powerful track that will dispel any Busted comparisons pretty much straight away. ‘Speak Up’ is another great track that has a great chorus that will get you singing along and added to some heavy guitars makes this one of the stand out tracks from the EP even if the end of the song does remind me a bit of Limp Bizkit. Up next is ‘Mono’ & this is the first real disappointment of the EP as it’s a slow song that never really goes anywhere and just ends up sounding generic and contrived. I think at this point they were listening to a bit too much Aereogramme and tried doing their own Aereogramme song.
Fightstar get back onto the right path with ‘Lost Like Tears In Rain’ which has a beautiful melody and is probably my favourite track on the EP. The vocals really stand out and sound brilliant once again and the song is just a really epic track. Then there’s the final song on the EP ‘Amethyst’ which is a nice slower song and is the perfect note to end Fightstar’s debut on. Both Charlie Simpson & Alex Westaway’s vocals sound great on this song as they due throughout the EP & are a real positive point for Fightstar. I would describe ‘Amethyst’ as a musical day dream but not because it will send you to sleep but because it’s a beautiful song.
Fightstar have come out with an excellent first attempt in the form of ‘They Liked You Better When You Were Dead’ and I think they will change a lot of people opinions who have put this band down even before they got started. It’s a great EP that will sell quite a few units but the real question is if Fightstar can keep peoples interest after all the initial hype around them and the Busted split has gone away. That’s one question that I don’t think anyone has the answer to.
You can check out there website at www.fightstarmusic.com.