Intimacy

Audio Mixer: Mark Nikolich.
Florida's Light Yourself on Fire blend noise rock and hardcore punk with metallic precision. The Jesus Lizard is a palpable influence, especially in the bulldozing bass of "Intimacy." Old-school hardcore comes through in the serrated syncopations of "Haunts" and "Love and Death." The howled vocals are appropriately caustic. However, the clean, punchy production and the artwork's bright colors neuter the band's attack. It's multidimensional, though, thanks to literary trappings: soundbites from Alan Watts and name-checks of Camus and Sartre. The lyrics are oblique yet heartfelt, and thoughtful liner notes trace each song's genesis. This record is almost more fun to read than to hear. At under 18 minutes in length, it feels truncated, but shows promise. ~ Cosmo Lee