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Reviews
The Higher - On Fire (Island Records, 2007)
Unfortunately for The Higher, they're going to have to deal with rising in the shadow of Panic! at the Disco. Both bands come from Las Vegas and play a similar pop punk with dance beats music. Don't expect The Higher to jump to the same success as Panic! any time soon, though. The album has a few tracks with a lot of potential but the rest is simply forgettable.
The Higher signed with Epitaph following the release of their debut album two years ago. With their sophomore release, On Fire, they decided to include two songs, "Rock My Body" and "Histrionics," from their debut album Histrionics. The album also includes a remix of "Pace Yourself" by Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), which was probably only included in the album so that those crazy FOB fans would buy it.
The album starts off on the right foot with their really catchy and radio-friendly single "Insurance". That song alone will get a lot of people to go out and buy it, but the rest of the album doesn't reach the same level. On Fire hit rock bottom on the track "Can Anyone Really Love Young" which felt like a cheesy rendition of a 90's boy band song.
The Higher do not accomplish any groundbreaking music achievements on this album. They just expanded on what other bands are already doing, but unfortunately, didn't do it as well. The few tracks that are worth your time include "Insurance," "Weapons Wired" and "Histrionics." On Fire can be an enjoyable listen, but until they match the energy of "Insurance" on an entire album, The Higher is going nowhere fast.
Sean Salomon
Chapman Radio (www.chapmanradio.com)