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The Figs ~ Avalanche
Posted on Wednesday, July 04, 2001 @ 11:21:49 EST
Topic:
Reviews
Artist: The Figs
CD: Avalanche
Home: New York
Style: Rock
Quote: "At times, the spirit of Chrissie
Hynde and Patti Smith will float by, or maybe Melissa Etheridge or Stevie
Nicks".
The Figs' debut CD has everything you could possibly want from a rock band
because it's not all about rock 'n' roll... while this female-fronted group
stays true to its unique sound, there's plenty of variety and never a dull
moment -- ever.
First off, the vocals... aahh, the vocals. Sweet, strong and intensely passionate from lead singer, song-writer and guitarist Laura Wenzel. At times, the spirit of Chrissie Hynde and Patti Smith will float by, or maybe Melissa Etheridge or Stevie Nicks. And harmonizing next to her is song-writer and talented bass player Adrienne Rothar. They team up beautifully.
The native New Yorkers lead a group that serves up tunes from the title track's pounding rock beat to the flowing, haunting strength of "Tree of Shame" to the slow-burning Texas-style bluesy "Givers and Takers" -- as mentioned, never a dull moment.
This CD has punch, power and drive as well as attention-grabbing lyrics like these from "Tree of Shame": "My back's against the wall There's a truck two inches from my face And they say Armageddon's coming Within these winds of change. Well, we stole the land from the Indians And tore life from the Jews And now it's down to me and you."
And on that tune, electric guitar player Manny Miranda plays so tastefully and threads the chords around the lyrics like an expert.
And, as also previously mentioned, the power -- that power! -- becomes almost tangible and is so well-produced by Adrienne's bass and Lisa Torregrossa's drums. It is simply and artistically transferred from musician to listener.
Perhaps the prettiest melody (yes, they have that, too!) is "Jane" -- a simply gorgeous partially piano-driven (played by Sharon Wilder) tune where she's joined by Dixie Stillwater's weepy, passionate electric guitar.
And maybe one of the best tunes on the entire 10-song CD is the up-tempo, acoustic-driven finale "Ain't That Enough" where the vocal blending is just superb, the rhythm section is in perfect synch and the strength is something you can not only hear but feel...and perhaps that's the goal, to get the listener to take the music deep inside, because from what's evident on this release, that's where the music originated, too.
See this review on line at: http://www.indie-music.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=350
 The
Figs, Avalanche (1999) – The Figs are a New York combo built around
Laura Wenzel on vocals and acoustic guitar and Adrienne Rothar on
bass guitar. With a polished pop sound that draws from the strength of
Sheryl Crow and
Lisa Germano,
Avalanche deserves to be found. Rounding
out the band are Sharon Wilder on keyboards and backing vocals and
Lisa Torregrossa on drums and percussion. A handful of friends sit in on
guitar, including Sharon Bernstein ("Avalanche" and "Dog Song"),
Manny Miranda ("Tree of Shame" and "Something About You"), and Dixie
Stillwater ("Jane" and "In Your Eyes").  The
cover makes it look like the
Figs
are some kind of somber, downbeat folk combo. Don't be fooled by
appearances. The Figs have a nicely rounded pop sound, with solid playing
and catchy hooks. Give this friendly group a chance.For more information, contact: Ms. Laura Wenzel Post Office Box 333 Dear Park, NY 11729-0333 Phone: 631/254-6442 email: [email protected] - Randy Krbechek © 2000 See this review on line at: http://www.cdshakedown.com/indieframeset.htm
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