The First Second Self-Titled. Release Date : February, 2005. Label: Independent. Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. This album seems like it should be more grabby than it is. It has all the right elements, but they're just not put together perfectly. It's dark and evil sounding, but the acoustic nature of it makes it sound either mildly unfelt, or like some crazy metal band doing an acoustic performance at a radio station or something. So I mean it's cool that they have that ability for down the line when they play live acoustic radio station sets. They have some interesting lyrics (pardon me as I wade through your ego). I think I would just rather hear this plugged in. It might sound less chaotic. "Speak And Spell" is very scattered sounding, like marbles strewn across a field of pebbles... bouncing, skipping every which way. Speak and Spells were sure fun though, weren't they? The strings starting "A Blaze" are great. This is a solid tune actually... a bit mid-90's. I just saw Collective Soul recently, and this is sort of that type of sound. So it's nice and cohesive, and who-really-cares-if-it's-not-current... you'll feel like you've gone back in time. I don't know, this comes across as vampire music, like for some dark indie film. I doubt this will see it's time on the radio in any big way, but it will definitely have its little underground niche with the nightcrawlers of the world. Low, wiggling voice. Suddenly its gets a bit grungey-hippie on "Night And Day" with the bongos. It's all so minimalist, and it really needs more in this case. The voice isn't jiving with the music, much like what does usually happen on those live radio station performances. Only on the radio station performances you have the benefit of knowing what the studio version of the song sounds like and you can envision the plugged-in quality while listening to the 'intimate treat' of an acoustic performance. Not so here - nothing to compare to leaves this just a bit bare. However, looking over their bio, this is exactly the sort of effect they'd envisioned, so they did accomplish what they set out to do. Bravo for that. But still those strings that swim a bit through all of this are a neat undercurrent. Maybe if even those would be more prevalent, we'd be on a roll. Very blues-jam bass line thing. It has a mild Headstones vibe without being quite as cool. Song of choice : "A Blaze" for it's strings! I'm such a sucker... -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere The First Second website Published : June, 2005.