Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. The songwriting grows less challenging as the album unfolds, often lacking the kind of vocal performances that provide real traction.
  2. Alternative Press
    60
    Fire's beauty often feels distant and untouchable. [Sep 2005, p.164]
  3. Paste Magazine
    60
    Eloquently combines elements of pop, spaced-out electronic rock and even dirty garage. [Aug/Sep 2005, p.121]
  4. Under The Radar
    60
    Neither as good nor as boring as you might think. [#10, p.112]
  5. What strikes most is a sense of uncomfortable suspension, and what keeps the album afloat remains a true mystery listen after listen.
  6. These songs are buoyant and polished, but the lyrics range from bewildering to lame and an afternoon of Schlitz’s voice gets tiresome.
  7. The band still wants to rub shoulders with the its moody English influences, but dabbling in styles you're ill-equipped for, weaving unnecessarily recurring themes into the songs, or piling on incidental effects-pedal sounds for atmosphere aren't going to inherently elevate your music.
  8. At their best they write strong, clean, melodic rip-offs of classic British indie rock and at their worst they write weak, clean, melodic rip-offs of classic British indie rock.
  9. There's a Fire is neither innovative nor exciting; rather, it's a bit boring.
  10. Despite a few arresting moments, such as the big-muscled title track, the band never stumbles on much that's recognizably its own.
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Firstyoulookedsostrong
    Oct 26, 2005
    9
    This band is so much better than most of its reviews. Better than the bands they open for, as underrated as My Favorite.
  2. amalia
    Oct 7, 2005
    9
    beautiful and heart-felt.... real. something i haven't heard in most other bands in a long time
  3. Simon
    Sep 12, 2005
    4
    Apart from the first song, this album is a majority of troughs. It