Fire Theft (ROG Limited Edition)

The Fire Theft: Jeremy Enigk (vocals, guitar); Nate Mendel (bass); William Goldsmith (drums). Recorded at The Fire Theft Studio, Kirkland, Washington, Brad's Guest House, Valley Village, California; The Park Studio, Studio City, California. From the ashes of the revered Sunny Day Real Estate comes the Fire Theft, consisting of the original SDRE line-up, minus guitarist Dan Hoerner. In many ways, the band's first outing in this new incarnation furthers the sound of both Sunny Day's final opus, THE RISING TIDE, with its majestic sound and prog-rock leanings, and singer/guitarist Jeremy Enigk's 1996 solo album, which rode a wave of strings and horns. "Uncle Mountain" begins with Enigk's plaintive vocals and subtle guitar strumming, only to burst into cinematic, Zeppelin-esque rock, while "Oceans Apart" touches on latter-day Pink Floyd, and "Waste Time" rides on an 1980s synth line. As the album continues, it becomes clear that the band's musical scope has widened considerably, though it's still anchored by the tight rhythm section of bassist Nate Mendel (also of Foo Fighters) and drummer William Goldsmith. A sum of its parts and its past, the Fire Theft has successfully broken free of its emo trappings and evolved into a full-blown rock band in the best possible way.