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I Would Set Myself on Fire for You

Believes in Patterns
2006
Stickfigure

Review by: Archangel
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I Would Set Myself on Fire for You on Myspace (link)

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Published on August 1st 2006

I Would Set Myself on Fire for You. It's a full sentence, and one that's hard to say with a straight face. It's easy to judge this band and write them off on the name alone, but those who do are missing out on an incredibly original and talented group of musicians.

I Would Set Myself on Fire for You is a 5-piece from Georgia. The instrumentation alone sets the band apart from the rest of the crowd in a tired genre beginning with "s" and rhyming with "Nemo." The group features, in addition to a guitar, bass, drums, a keyboard and synthesizer as well as a viola -- but no microphones during shows. The girl who plays the viola, Lindsey, also contributes a solid amount of vocals to the album, ranging from sweet, melodic singing to screaming alongside Stephen (guitar) and Justin (bass).

Already, the comparisons to Circle Takes the Square are being drawn. The intensity is there, the male/female dynamic is there, the intricate lyrics are there, and the experimental edge is most certainly present and accounted for. There's even a recorded spoken word part, although here, it's an answering machine message. The bands differ in a few important ways, though: While CTTS relies on keyboard/synth work and slight guitar to draw out their atmospheric interludes, IWSMOFFY fully utilize the viola in beautiful, sprawling arrangements -- a pleasant respite from bands who fail to realize their gimmick instrument's full potential. Believes in Patterns includes the keyboard and synthesizer, but it's never overwhelming. IWSMOFFY's instrumentals tend to hold your attention better, too, with the possible exception of "#," a song I consider to be one of the album's few flaws.

Standout tracks include "Three," a re-recording of a song ("The First Word That Comes to Mind") from their demo, as well as opening track "Twelve." "So This Is Our Home" is a sharp contrast from the rest of the album; the calming, softly sung lyrics almost recall Brand New, as strange as it feels to write this.

A few of the tracks, such as "Seven," feature a saxophone played quite adeptly to add to the song's atmosphere, and all feature great talent and technical ability. This release won't be easy to find, but it's a welcome addition to a collection featuring Circle Takes the Square, Envy, Neil Perry, and Saetia, to name a few. These comparisons don't do full justice to the band, though -- I Would Set Myself on Fire for You is in a class of their own. Pay close attention to them.

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Song Twelve

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Posted by treos on 2006-12-01 23:52:22

incredible cd

Posted by greyicewater on 2006-08-09 01:54:33

i'm listening to that sinking steps band. it isn't bad. i'm enjoying the piano parts. they have a female in the band as well. i suppose that is why you mentioned them. thanks for the mention...

everyone should also listen to Portrait and Inkwell. also some of georgia's finest. both now sadly defunct.

Posted by SilentStorms on 2006-08-08 00:31:23
My Score:

Has anyone here heard Sinking Steps ... Rising Eyes? They're pretty freakin' sweet. Like the Family Guy song, but harder ... and softer too. WTF? Anyhoos, intriguing review. And anyone interested in this band should check out the band I just mentioned.

Posted by Wentz_Equals_Death on 2006-08-02 18:51:31

I Would Call You Collect Whenever I Could

Posted by boba_fett on 2006-08-02 14:33:27
My Score:

I Would Set Myself on Fire for You. It's a full sentence, and one that's hard to say with a straight face.

i definitely have to agree there.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 4:08 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I love seeing this band live. Especially watching Stephen.

Great great band.

Posted by colin on 2006-08-01 18:59:52

The name suits the music. If you think the name sucks, you will probably think the same for the music.

first time i saw this band's name i wrote them off. they were playing a house show in savannah years ago and i didn't go because their name sounded like generic screamo. this is anything but. i wish i had gone to that show.

now, somebody tell me the significance of "49531 583 6713" from "seven." it bugs the crap out of me.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 6:04 PM (EDT)

"I saw these dudes play at a frat party about a year or two ago, and pretty much I just heckled them the entire time. They were frankly one of the single worst bands I have ever seen in my entire life. If it weren't some benefit for the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center, I woulda started hurling my empty 40's at them."

something about frat party and rape center benefit being together in the same write up is hilarious

Posted by steveman on 2006-08-01 16:06:29

Wow. Thank you for having the balls to review a band called I WOuld Set Myself On Fire For You.

I'm listening now and definetly enjoying them. Lots of energy.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 2:33 PM (EDT)

The name suits the music. If you think the name sucks, you will probably think the same for the music.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 2:31 PM (EDT)

screamo

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 1:27 PM (EDT)

Maybe they should change their fucking name.

I Would Set Myself on Fire for You?

HAHAHAHA!

Posted by Inspection12e on 2006-08-01 12:00:06

I have been meaning to check this band out for about 3 years now. There mp3s were never very easy to find online.

Posted by niveK82 on 2006-08-01 11:51:46

seemo?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 11:43 AM (EDT)

a tired genre beginning with "s" and rhyming with "Nemo."

semo?

Posted by mattramone on 2006-08-01 10:23:31

I saw these dudes play at a frat party about a year or two ago, and pretty much I just heckled them the entire time. They were frankly one of the single worst bands I have ever seen in my entire life. If it weren't some benefit for the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center, I woulda started hurling my empty 40's at them.

Posted by socrates on 2006-08-01 10:08:27

I'm in a extremely shitty mood and have to point out that this bands name sucks donkeydick.

Posted by greyicewater on 2006-08-01 02:32:48

http://elue.phpwebhosting.com/utc/utc-is-awesome.php?ID=56

th at is a link to a live set of theirs. but it's possible it doesn't work anymore. if anyone wants it you can always hit me on aim: thisismedancing, and i'll send it to you. it's a large mp3. but worth the wait for it, it lets you know the intensity of their shows.

Posted by greyicewater on 2006-08-01 02:20:43
My Score:

this is the album i wrote a review for. this one is definately better than the review i wrote, not to knock my passion and love for this band. i've loved them for years and been awestricken by their shows. being from georgia i get to see them often as i like. no band has more heart than them i can tell you that. and they are the nicest people in the world. i got myself a hug from stephen just the other day. but seriously, they are making some of the most original music to date.

Posted by colin on 2006-08-01 02:15:53

this album is fucking AMAZING. i was going to write a review and give it the same score. sleeper hit of the fucking year.