Gold Coast rockers Fairchild Republic have enjoyed a pretty successful lead up to the release of their debut record, Wish Upon a Paper Crane, which saw them enjoy a tour of Japan, as well as securing a spot at Gold Coast’s Big Day Out.
The band have admitted they wanted their debut record to be ambitious, foregoing too much emphasis on attempting to cater to the stereotypes associated with the indie-rock genre, an attempt the band have both managed to achieve and fall short of on their debut offering.
Debut single ‘Villagers’ is a rhythmic bass and drum driven song, ornamented with bright and catchy guitar licks, encapsulating Adam Lyons’ competent and at times even soaring vocal vignettes, that are reminiscent of 30 Second To Mars’ Jared Leto (in the best way possible).
Lyrically, the record seems to feign an emotional atmosphere on tracks like “Tear Us Down”, however Lyons’ sentiments seem to taper into the understated basket, with most of the would be heartfelt moments falling short as sentimentally motivated but ultimately empty platitudes.
A palatable balance of light and shade is achieved on “The Chase” and “Running Bear”, featuring warm synth texturing straight from the Brandon Flowers handbook; and is well accompanied by percussive guitar picking and more soaring vocal hooks.
What this record really lacks is timbre and dynamic, with every track seemingly offering the same (admittedly accomplished) layered and ornamented indie-rock, which begs for tonality in the form of something minimal, stripped back and sentimental to help achieve that dynamic.
Despite this, the future still looks bright for Fairchild Republic, as the record is polished and inspiring; and despite a spattering of faults, it should not be discounted.
-Morgan Benson
