Review: Fools For Rowan – Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled

“Fools for Rowan are hard to pin down because they are thoroughly commercial…”

Artist Name: Fools for Rowan
Album Name: Twisted. Tied up. Tangled
Year: 2009
Genre: Alternative Pop Rock
Label: Lava Lamp Records

As far as alt/pop rock goes, I was a huge fan when I was in my teens; maybe because I didn’t know any better. Fools for Rowan bring out the teenager in me. It takes me back to the parties where all the girls were gyrating like lunatics to Shania Twain’s ‘Man, I Feel Like a Woman!,’ even though we were barely out of puberty. The reason why Shania Twain comes to mind is because Twisted. Tied up. Tangled has a southern feel, possibly due to the rockabilly guitars and whooping cowgirl vocal-style of Erin Mullins. And before we dismiss them for this, remember how popular this style was a few years back.

Yet, Fools for Rowan are hard to pin down because they are thoroughly commercial, but have this cool spin on things, like the grungy guitars on ‘No’ and pop punk influences on ‘Living Dangerously.’ However, there is this overconcentration of ballads, like any woman- fronted band worth their salt. It’s almost frustrating how attractive these are, though. They just beg you to sing along. Heart-break, love, sex – sigh. I can handle clichés with ease these days, musicians rarely try to insert original lyrical content into commercial music, but I have to admit to wanting to spit venom at Fools for Rowan for the song, ‘It’s Alright.’ I don’t want to hear about the various ways that your life sucks and your lover makes it better. Trust me, your life does not suck.

Erin sure can reach those higher vocal ranges with ease and she is certainly the strength in this band. But, she overwhelms the songs, leaving little space for the guitars. I think this was a mistake on the part of production, because far away in the background, the barely noticeable guitarist is doing some crazy stuff. When cool riffs do emerge, they are few and far between. C’mon, give the guitarist a little more love.

I may have been dismissive of Fools for Rowan, but they are one of the likeable bands I have come across for months, simply because they are easy to listen to, have a colossal sound, mainly due to the vocals, and because they are immensely catchy. Buy it for your girlfriend if she likes romance novels, ever gyrated to Shania Twain or has just emerged from puberty.

Best Tracks: ‘No’ and ‘I Don’t Have the Strength’

65/100

- Claire Martens