The trio goes old school on this disc, using analog recording equipment (Yeah, we're talking vintage mics and reverb units here people). And the effect it has on the sound (not that it needed improvement) is great. Throughout the disc, folk/pop/rock/country stylings shine brighter than on previous discs, and that's saying a lot. Tracks like Anthony (One of two tracks that put violinist Sara Wakins' vocals at the forefront) and Can't Complain push the eclectic styles in great ways.
The lead single from the disc (and the lead track on the disc), When In Rome, is surely one of the more radio friendly tracks on the disc. But the beauty of tracks like this, Best Of Luck and Why Should The Fire Die? is that the tracks aren't forced. This is not a group that's writing radio or video singles. This is a band that's just writing music as it comes, and it simply works. This is the sign of the greatest artists out there, a distinction Nickel Creek is coming dangerously close to on just their third disc.
Why Should The Fire Die? as a whole is great because it's different. But it's not a "It's cool to be different, so we're going to do that" kind of different. It's very much a "This is who we are, and we like it" different. The harmonies shine throughout this disc. Doubting Thomas, Somebody More Like You and Jealous Of The Moon are just three of the tracks that truly showcase these harmonies; harmonies that range anywhere from impressive to bone-chilling.
What is accomplished by Nickel Creek on their third disc is nothing short of a masterpiece. Why Should This Fire Die? is one of those discs that, no matter what type of music you are partial to, should be on your radar screen. It is absolutely one of the year's must-haves, and arguably one of the best discs to come out in the past few years. Don't pass on this disc.