The Cooper Temple Clause

Kick Up the Fire, and
Let the Flames Break Loose

(Morning/RCA/BMG)

First Appeared at The Music Box, May 2004, Volume 11, #5

Written by John Metzger

On its American debut Kick Up the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose, The Cooper Temple Clause pulls back on the reigns of its riotous noise-rock to reveal a greater sense of depth and diversity than it had previously demonstrated. Yes, the group still rocks hard, most notably on the single Promises, Promises, which rumbles along with a heavy metal thunder reminiscent of The Scorpions, but this also happens to be the least interesting track on an album full of experimental growth. Indeed, the opening tune The Same Mistakes creeps softly and slowly before releasing its tension in a torrent of crashing rhythms; Talking to a Brick Wall delves into moody electronica punctuated by a pop-hued chorus; Into My Arms wafts dreamily with gospel-folk ambitions plucked from Spiritualized before exploding with clattering freight-train fury; Blind Pilots sounds like a collaboration between Wilco and Nirvana; and Written Apology is a sprawling, prog-rock epic that merges jazz and electronica with rambunctious rock, techno strangeness, and psychedelic mayhem.

There’s little doubt that The Cooper Temple Clause has crammed a plethora of ideas into Kick Up the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose, but unfortunately, the manner in which it all comes together is occasionally awkward. Still, any ensemble with such fervent zeal is bound to stumble a bit in its search for something new, and despite this, the fact remains that The Cooper Temple Clause has put its lofty aspirations to good use and crafted an eclectic and uncompromising affair, which hints at the greatness the band likely will achieve in the not-too-distant future.

Kick Up the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose is available
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Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2004 The Music Box