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Why Should The Fire Die?
by
Why Should The Fire Die? Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

  • Summary: Tony Berg and Eric Valentine produced this follow-up to 2002's Grammy-winning "This Side."

Top Track

Doubting Thomas
What will be left when I've drawn my last breath Besides the folks I've met and the folks who've known me Will I discover a soul-saving love Or just... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Mojo
    100
    Throws out the genre manual and leaves every cell, body and soul, buzzing. [Dec 2005, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Steeped in tradition... but also flirts with pop immediacy. [19 Aug 2005, p.144]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Prefix Magazine
    80
    Unstoppable.
  4. AllMusic
    80
    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.
  5. Stylus Magazine
    75
    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.
  6. Amazon.com
    70
    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.
  7. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    58
    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.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. JeffW.
    Sep 26, 2007
    10
    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 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.… Expand
  2. DougO
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    Best album of 2005, easily!
  4. MarshF
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    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 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!… Expand
  5. ClintM
    Sep 2, 2005
    9
    If Chris Martin (Coldplay) and Alison Kraus were to have some babies and raise them listening to Fleetwood Mac, you would have the same If Chris Martin (Coldplay) and Alison Kraus were to have some babies and raise them listening to Fleetwood Mac, you would have the same result as Nickel Creek's latest album. Breautiful, Often Bitter...Brilliant.… Expand
  6. CharlesB
    Oct 11, 2005
    9
    This is one of the most incredible albums i've heard this year. Nickle Creek is the kind of group that everyone can appreciate. I will This is one of the most incredible albums i've heard this year. Nickle Creek is the kind of group that everyone can appreciate. I will scream from the roof tops about his album. Their talent crosses so many genres.… Expand
  7. PatrickD
    Oct 13, 2005
    8
    Quite different compared to the mellow sounds of This Side. At first listen, one may be confused that this is Nickel Creek at all, but after Quite different compared to the mellow sounds of This Side. At first listen, one may be confused that this is Nickel Creek at all, but after a few listens growing on you, the sheer brilliance shines through on every track. The instrumentation is complex and first rate. The only issue I have is with the recording process. This Side was very clear to the listener, in that every word sung could be heard clearly and every instrument could be heard very well. Not so much here as the sound sounds compressed, much of the detail being lost, which is a real shame. Their next album needs to return to the previous recording process to get the most out of the recording.… Expand
  8. TobyKeith
    Oct 26, 2005
    0
    I bought this thinking it was Nickelback.... sadly it wasn't. I'd recommend my new album 'Honkytonk University' over this I bought this thinking it was Nickelback.... sadly it wasn't. I'd recommend my new album 'Honkytonk University' over this any day - TK… Collapse

See all 19 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best Album of 2005

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