Idle Class / Fights And Fires – Split 7″

When it comes to European punk, Black Star Foundation seems to have a pretty good handle on scoping out the talent.  Case and point, the release of a brand new international split 7” featuring French four-piece Idle Class and UK quintet Fights And Fires.  Featuring two songs apiece, the up and coming bands place their complimentary brand of roughneck punk back-to-back for an ear grabbing sales pitch sure to entice prospective fans.

First up, Fights And Fires roars out the gate with a pummeling combination of rolling drums and amped up guitars.  Guided by the steadfast vocal barking of Philip #1, the coarse lyrical delivery and rattled-bang machine-gun pacing draws capable comparisons to a more articulate The Sainte Catherines or The Flatliners.  If “Happy” captures Fights And Fires’ fiery soul, then “Maps” exemplifies their passion for powerful anthems.  “I want to be the one who proves these maps were wrong” chants Philip #1, pausing for a boisterous chorus of gang vocals to chime in with “and walk straight off the edge.”  It’s big and empowering without being obnoxious – as anthemic punk should be.

A tough act to follow, Idle Class rises to the occasion with their slightly more modern punk rock stamp.  Sounding a little more like Polar Bear Club or something you’d expect to find on Rise Records, the Worcester five-piece is no stranger to abrasive yet tuneful pop-punk.  “Die Trying” sparks to life with hooky guitars that give way to a catchy, vocal heavy chorus.  It takes a few moments to switch gears entirely, but by the time the slow burning, sing along friendly song “What Would Bukowski Do?” rolls around, Idle Class makes a pretty compelling case.

As a newcomer to both bands, I can safely say that Fights And Fires and Idle Class have pooled a handful of killer tunes sure to please existing fans and convert first time listeners.  As with all great splits, the disc ends far too early but succeeds in compelling listeners to mine each band’s current discography.