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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Why Should The Fire Die?
Universal acclaim
Based on 10 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 24 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Sugar Hill
Release Date: 09 August 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Bluegrass, Country
Summary
Tony Berg and Eric Valentine produced this follow-up to 2002's Grammy-winning "This Side."
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Mojo
Throws out the genre manual and leaves every cell, body and soul, buzzing. [Dec 2005, p.100]
Entertainment Weekly
Steeped in tradition... but also flirts with pop immediacy. [19 Aug 2005, p.144]
All Music Guide
Why Should the Fire Die? is a brave album that warrants more than a passing glance from country and bluegrass purists, and the full support of the indie rock/folk/pop community.
Read Full Review >Slant Magazine
While their lyrics do tell compelling stories, Nickel Creek's selling point remains their technical gifts and, again, Why Should The Fire Die? showcases a phenomenal learning curve.
Read Full Review >Village Voice
With any luck (and some marketing muscle), this excellent album will find the Dashboard Confessional fans it deserves.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Why Should the Fire Die? may see Nickel Creek turn further away than ever from CMT’s trappings, but it also shows the band reaching to eclipse its more generic pop-rock reference points as well.
Read Full Review >Amazon.com
Why Should the Fire Die? is certainly the trio's boldest and most creative album, albeit one that might not appeal to their earliest fans.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
What will grab you first about the band this time out is their singing. The trio has always sung in gorgeously arrayed harmonies, but Why Should the Fire Die? utilizes sung harmony in striking ways.
Read Full Review >Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
Like most schmoograssers they're committed to virtuosity for its own sake, and like most young musos they've been too focused on technique to learn much about how music interacts with life.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jeff W. gave it a10:
After a couple years of listening, Why Should the Fire Die still intrigues and engages me every time I hear it. I listen to all types of music (from Buck 65 to Beatles), and I would recommend it to anyone who will give it a serious listen.
Lauren O gave it a10:
Nickel Creek really comes into their own on this record. They are truly original. One of the things I've always loved most about them is the conviction in their voices.
Arjun J gave it a9:
Incredibly creative. As good as this is, the best is yet to come.
Marsh F gave it a10:
This album is one of the best ever. Dont listen to village voice, they dont know what they are talking about. NC is not what they say. Sure the album is different than nickel creek's eirlier work, like "Cowpoke", but they were only kids then! There are so many great things on this album, like the songs "When in Rome", which is such an amazing track, "Jealous of the Moon" has one of the most beautiful riffs at the beginning of the song. "Eveline" has such haunting lyrics and a droning melody. My favorite track, "Helena" is one of NC's best tracks ever, the building of that song is great. And the amazing "Douting Thomas" shows nickel creeks christian side, as chris sings those amazing words. And the title track is so incredible, it cant be put in words. Of course there are down points, like "Cant Complain", which kinda is no good, lyrics just dont work, but even if this album was just one song with "Helena", it would still be a 10, its so good. So be quiet Toby Keith, you cant grade an album 0 for buying the wrong album. This CD rocks, and you all know it. So go home, throw your old nickelback CD's away. Smash those Pharrel albums with a hammer. Delete your Green day crap from iTunes. AND GET THIS CD!
Casey gave it a10:
Incredible effort by amazing musicians. The trio explores deeper themes than their previous releases, and the risk paid off.
Doug O gave it a10:
Best album of 2005, easily!
Mack gave it a10:
This album is amazing. Yes, it does signal a change from the last time out, but those who cannot handle the subtle (and not so subtle) changes (such as Terry W below) are being far too stodgy and close-minded. This trio is displaying incredible growth and diversity with this recording and their move away from the 'traditions' of bluegrass is nothing but a (successful) attempt to overcome the restrictive constraints that their genre places on them anyway. They're an amazing group with remarkable talent, and we're lucky to have such a genuinely great band around today in a world full of talentless and vapid corporate music.
