Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Fever Fever, Native Color
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Fever Fever
Native Color



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Indie / Alternative / Worship
Album length: 6 tracks
Street Date: 2013


Fever Fever's national debut Aftermath, which slipped by largely unnoticed last year, was a fantastic alternative rock album that became more captivating with each listen. One year before this Slospeak-released album, the band put out an equally impressive independent acoustic album, entitled Native Color. Though more stripped down than its previous and successive projects, it is no less complex or intricate, featuring a fresh blend of xylophones, guitars, mandolin and strings (among other organic/acoustic instruments).

"Clouds Catch Fire" introduces Native Color with a soft kick and rich acoustic guitar picking. Drew Murfin's rugged-yet-smooth vocals are soon layered in, followed by a breezy flute hook, backing vocals, hand percussions, and finally a second, brighter acoustic guitar. In the last 30 seconds, the music abruptly stops, leaving Drew and company singing acappella. This mesmerizing song hinges on a mere 24 words repeated four times, "come, let's go to where the clouds catch fire / breathe in that air you so desire, where the clouds catch fire," and yet, it couldn't be a more inviting way to open the 21-minute EP. From there, we are taken through a whirlwind of intriguing sounds and melodies that will make you smile on the gloomiest of days.

Half of Native Color's lyrics revolve around feelings of romantic love, and though they are sometimes a little shallow, they are delivered flawlessly through vivid and poetic metaphors. A perfect example of this is the first verse of "Mystery of Love," where Murfin sings "these fragile legs can't go no further / these prideful knees drop like boulders into the dust" to describe falling in love. But the songwriting is most remarkable when Murfrin tackles other themes. On "Everyday," he makes you to think deeply about how we search for answers in life that are right in front of us (arguably talking about Jesus) with a few simple words, "every day we see the shore / every day we look for something more / and yet, we still roam the earth."

These six songs may not be individually as stunning as the stronger moments of Aftermath, like "Blue" or "Sea Meets the Earth," but the Native Color renditions of "Beautiful Dream" and "On Top of the World" (renamed "A Line in the Sand") are superior to their re-recorded successors. Additionally, there are no filler tracks, such as "Windward" or "Inceptiones Novae." If Fever Fever drops the overly-sensitive moments of their songwriting (something they still had on Aftermath), they will have the recipe for a masterpiece. As we wait for that defining work, do yourself a favor and pick up a free copy of Native Color on Noisetrade, and be sure to leave a tip for these fine gentlemen.

- Review date: 4/17/15, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 6 tracks
. Street Date: 2013
. Download It: Noisetrade

  1. Clouds Catch Fire
  2. Hallucinate
  3. Beautiful Dream
  4. On Top of the World
  5. Mystery of Love
  6. Everyday
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images