Layered Fires

“Layered” is the best way to describe the sound of The Library is on Fire.  Critics have called them power pop, art punk and lo-fi but they tend to sound more rock in concert so labeling them can get difficult. However, with fans like Lou Reed it doesn’t really matter if the Brooklyn based trio can’t be categorized easily.

Front man, Steve Five, gave us some insider info on what went into the band’s upcoming album, Works On Paper. Since the band appreciates different aspects of art, references to pioneering artists are layered throughout the album. Basquiat & Rothko get song titles while Rene Char, the author of the poem the band is named after, gets referenced in the “Hypnos” titles (Waking, Waiting & Returns).  Five, says the album’s title, “Works on Paper” itself is even a layered creative reference since it’s the name of an album whose cover art is a picture of a painting. 

When asked about the album’s theme Five points toward “survival”. From an artistic side there is “always that struggle to get away from that sad sack artist image; Rothko suffered with bouts of depression, Basquit didn’t even make it out of his twenties”.  From the human side, Five references New York City as a great example of survival on a day to day basis.

While the band is excited to share the new album with fans live, Five is looking forward to playing “Fly Sucka on the Score” since it’s a different sound than their fans are used to. As for listening to the album, Five recommends listening to the whole thing at once with headphones on to get all of the subtle audio details that are included.

SERIALLY had a chance to check out the Works On Paper album (through headphones) and it’s an impeccable addition to any winter soundtrack. Throughout the album you get opposite  tempos and moods, often side by side which makes for more of an impact on the lyrics. This is also why listening to the whole thing on the first go-round, is key.  Best example of these contradicting carols is the pairing of  the standout song “Fly Sucka on a Score”, which tells the tale of two people not seeing eye to eye on the idea of love through some down and out tempos. Any idea of love gets smashed by the next up faster and angrier “Burn It Down”, with it’s lyrics of broken hearted angst. Further along these 180 emotions are revisited with the harmonica happy “Spray Painted Life” being followed by the somber ”This is Why the Wind Blows”.  Other stellar songs include “The Broken Guitar”  and the album’s first single, “They Don’t Know You (Like I Know You)“.

Works On Paper is out Jan 31st, and you can see The Library is on Fire live February 18 at Broomies.