Heave Media

Burning the Candle Slowly

Maps gives us something to get giddy about

Maps

The Wick and the Fire

Released on Nov 30, -0001

Long has the perfect marriage of instrumental music and personality been awaited. Fear not instrumental music patrons, for the time has finally come. Maps second full-length album, The Wick and The Fire is exactly what my CD player has been waiting for. This Nashville foursome churns out fierce instrumental masterpieces that will hold your attention through and through.

The first, and shortest track on the album, “Failure of Constancy,” starts things off marvelously. Laden with the steady clash of cymbals and over strewn with catchy guitar leads, this track gives a quick sample as to what Maps’ sound really is. The overcast of sound effects in the background ties things together and adds subtle tone for your listening pleasure. The first few tracks make it apparent that the bands focal sound is that of their guitars, and powerful and sweeping leads and entwined throughout the album.

The Wick and The Fire continues strong with tracks “Ambuscade,” and “The Words Will Grow.” “Ambuscade” shows versatility from several of the other tracks on the album with its use of interesting tempo switches and Maps method making their songs have a feeling of growth. “The Words Will Grow” has a similar structure to the track prior to it, but keeps and more ambient feel throughout, instead of shifting towards a more progressive feel in the end. Not to lead you astray, nearly all of the tracks to contain traces of their progressive rock origins, and are unlikely to be the sort of songs that will put you to sleep.

“Spread My Love With A Knife” gives the album a chance to slow down with its soothing guitar throwbacks and Brazilian-esque keyboard movements. This break doesn’t last long, however, “The Alchemy of Economy,” which follows shortly thereafter has a lot of the same feels musically as “Failure of Constancy” at the beginning of the album. “Party Hats and Attitudes” have a bit of a math rock feel about it, reminding me quite a bit of By The End of Tonight. The Wick and The Fire consummates with the track “Synergy,” which ties everything together to a fitting end. Maps’ latest album provided me with a bit of listening pleasures and can assuredly do the same for you.

High Point: The album is full of catchy, complex tracks, all worth a listen.

Low Point: Some of the tracks seem like they could cut out a bit of the slow-footed introductions.

Quick Point: Crossroads of America Records will also be releasing several new albums in the coming months. Fans of Maps and their labels other bands should check them out.

Posted by Andrew Scott on Apr 25, 2008 @ 12:00 am