On their newest EP Campfires for Cavepeople, The Flashpot Moments once again provide fans with consistent well-made music. Named after the pyrotechnics that launch fireworks at a concert, the band proves how apt of a name that is. From the higher energy songs like “Alison/Allison” to slower songs like “Wasted in Waltz Time (Take 5)”, The Flashpot Moments never falter or fail to live up to their namesake. The band’s self-proclaimed mission statement is to make music designed for a full capacity crowd at Madison Square Gardens or Castle Donington which is a statement backed up with energy and passion that is hard to find elsewhere.
Reminiscent of an old style of rock that ran the airwaves for years, The Flashpot Moments provide new melodies and energies that leave the listener feeling nostalgic. The use of organ in rock music is something many artists shy away from. When it’s embraced, however, it allows for a depth and color that feels familiar yet new at the same time. Throughout the EP it’s colors like this that leave the listener coming back for more.
Campfires for Cavepeople starts with a song titled “I Don’t Want To Get Better” which fits perfectly within the band’s discography. Dreamy guitars and strings help support the story Tim Cawley, the lead vocalist, tells. The hard-hitting lyrics in the chorus help drive the song and leave even the first time listener singing along. Aided by reverb and other post-production effects, The Flashpot Moments have done a great job setting the atmosphere of a packed show.
As the EP progresses the band continues to innovate but also shows how adept they are performing more traditional songs. “Knockoff” utilizes a standard rock setup, driven by groovy bass lines and a tireless drum kit that helps support the powerhouse vocals. Lines like “I won’t settle for a sad knockoff” help shape the song into something of an anthem. The energy of the song matches that of a live performance, which I can only imagine would be amplified with a real crowd (and flashpots of course).
Floating almost effortlessly between feels, the band shows off their versatility with songs like “Confession” which strays away from the traditional rock sound heard on “Knockoff” and features melodic piano lines instead. Throughout the majority of the song, drums aren’t used and the piano or strings take over driving the rhythm; creating an intimacy that allows the poetic lyrics to soar. The emotion in this song is palpable. A fantastic capstone to this project.
From the thundering crescendos to the waltz meter, the performance on each song was unique, tasteful, and well presented. Songs moved as cohesively through stories as they did instrumentation creating an experience akin to a live performance.
Written by Tyler Roberts
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