Literally, FIDLAR stands for "fuck it dog, life's a risk". More broadly, it reflects the punk attitude and concerns of one of the better punk bands to recently emerge from Southern California. Possessed of a range that includes redline-level hardcore and punk pop, and imbued with an understanding that if they write about what interests them, they are writing what their audience wants to hear, their self-titled LP nails the landing for the fans, and gives the finger to the critics. The track titles include "Cheap Beer", "Stoked and Broke", "No Wave", "Max Can't Surf", "Wake! Bake! Skate!", "Blackout Stout", "Paycheck", and "Cocaine". It may be simple, but it isn't a cliche if it reflects life. And the quality of the compositions and performances reveal the musicianship to be well above the garage band status indicated by the lyrical themes. FIDLAR, then ably walks the tightrope between serious musical chops and wish fulfillment for the skate/punk crowd.
"Black Out Stout" encapsulates what I like best about FIDLAR -- a great guitar riffs and a shouted, anthemic chorus discussing one of my favorite food groups.
The band's garage pop abilities are on display in "No Waves". And that bassline never fails to make me happy --
And here we have the rapid-fire skate-punk anthem of "Wake, Bake, Skate" --
Given the genre, the final score for FIDLAR is determined by the fun quotient, and it earns a fist-pumping high grade. It is out now on the Mom+Pop label.
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