So the early ‘90s indie scene is over, and there is no shortage of good bands that survived and are still making wonderful music. It was a great time for music, but it’s clearly over, and those left standing have smoothly evolved. Apparently, Fiver is one of the bands that time forgot.
With Let it All Fall Down, the fourth release of off Modesto, California’s Devil in the Woods Records, Fiver hopes that a whole lot of fuzzy distortion can hold it all together. Either that, or they are trying to cover up for what just isn’t there. Regardless of the band’s intention, the result is 12 watered-down tracks, void of any remote catchiness or likeability. Vocalist David Woody’s words creep along the slow, sluggish songs like they are gasping for air. For a group that has been around in some form or another since 1993, the ensuing work is not is for a lack of trying. It’s just unclear what this band is attempting to accomplish in the first place.
Everything about the sound of Let it All Fall Down seems dated. From the ripping guitar to the misplaced keyboard parts, everything about this band seems as unnatural as Woody’s weirdly high voice. Trying to listen to this album all the way through is like attempting to watch a whole episode of Full House; you know it was entertaining at one time, but it’s really just painful, and shamelessly out of date.
