Following on from an impressive mini-album, Poison Arrows have now put their talent to use in the full album format, something sought after when Casual Wave was making the spins. Now, with room to expand and with the time to let the songs build up over almost one hour's time and with a crisp recording from Albini's legendary Electrical Audio Studio A, they are allowed to fully flourish and show their pedigree.
The production is spot on and fully suits their alternative brand of dark, synth-infused rock. It manages to convey that scuzzy urban feel at the same time as being so clear that every instrument, instead of fighting for attention through the mix, works in perfect symbiosis. That said, this gives the bass, an instrument usually just kept in the background and providing a foundation to lean against like an anonymous worker, is now given enough prominence to drive the songs forward. Those familiar with the Chicago sound of the 90\'s will know what this means; the guitar playing, now with added synth for depth provides the textures whereas the bass playing is what everything is built around, a sound perfected by the likes of Big Black and The Jesus Lizard. The Poison Arrows carry the basis of that, but with their own infusion of melody, as the balance in sound shows. It is an effortless blend of up-tempo, muscular rhythms and intricate melodies; "Future Way" is a pulse raiser, its repetitive grooves carrying a recurring aggression. "Fire up the Happiness Center" carries on in similar fashion, the sparse and intricate guitar playing string it all together.
In comparison, there is plenty of austere, dark beauty here to leave you with an impression of a well-rounded rock album, full of late night imagery of late nights and neon lights.
Their home environs seem stamped all over First Class, and Forever. Call it an after-constructed idea but the atmosphere on the record appears unlikely to have come from the land of never-ending sunshine and beaches. The swathing synth on a tune like "Total Beverage" conveys a feeling of a hung-over stroll at dawn along the grime and gutters of the East Coast when an ice cold wind battles the rising sun for the day's attention.
What the Poison Arrows showed on their debut EP was a potential to give us something special; with these ten songs they have fulfilled that promise, which isn't surprising considering we're dealing with seasoned professionals, and a promise of even better things to come.
