EP Review: The Fismits – Falling Joy (Self Released / Dirty Badger Music)

Indie-alternative rock project, The Fismits, will release their long-awaited new EP, ‘Falling Joy’.

It is quite something to know that the songs on this EP trace their origins back to the early 1990s and that The Fismits founder Mark Biagio has breathed new life into them for this release. That alone makes the EP a worthwhile listen, if only for curiosity’s sake to begin with.

Come for the story, stay for the likable, infectious, and interesting tunes. While I can’t say I am overawed by the record, I won’t say I didn’t enjoy it, especially as it’s a bitesize showcase of indie and alternative rock with appealing faucets. Namely a rawness that both dates it and makes it sound quite contemporary. A difficult balance to achieve, so credit to The Fismits.

Credit must also be given for the experimentation that means no two songs sound the same and there are several times when it surprises. For example, compare the first two tracks. Where the opener that is When sticks stoically to a familiar indie rock vibe and Independence delivers a mixture of old-school synth rock with a post-punk twist. They couldn’t be more different, but they’re both equally expressive, and things don’t get any less intriguing with the punchy melodies of Scars, with its catchy chorus, and the super-short jam-like title track. The latter of which does very little for me, personally.

Whereas Too Small a Word does do plenty for me. I like the laidback melodies, and how they pair with the vocals. There are flashes of urgency, and the track’s tempo does increase excitingly as the song goes on, before sweetly dissipating. It’s a highlight, but far from the only one, which is cool considering it’s only a five-track release.

The Fismits – Falling Joy Track Listing:

1. When
2. Independence
3. Scars
4. Falling Joy
5. Too Small a Word

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