Article by: Jason Robey
The new album by Phoenix alternative hard rock band, Fairy Bones, may be called 0% Fun, but don’t be fooled by the title. In fact, the 9 songs on this record are upbeat, bouncy, and a very fun listen, full of catchy riffs and hooks guaranteed to stick in the listener’s head.
From the opening drums and reggae-tinted chorus of “No One Can Suffer Like I Can,” the follow-up to Fairy Bones’ first full-length album, 2015’s Dramabot, shows that they’re just as edgy and sonically experimental as ever, while honing in on their pop sensibility. In the two years since their first album, the band has worked very hard to build a loyal fan base in their hometown, venturing out on the road a few times, including a tour last year opening for Highly Suspect. In the summer of 2017, when they released “No One Can Suffer Like I Can” as a single, they kicked off a grassroots campaign to sell enough downloads to make Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, which garnered the attention of several media outlets.
The nine songs on 0% Fun show off the impressive range of vocalist Chelsey Louise’s theatrically trained voice and brilliant, heartfelt lyrics. Throughout the album, there are recurring themes of dealing with depression, anxiety, and insecurity, balanced out with beautiful, hopeful melodies and a sense of purpose.
Behind the lyrics, brothers Ben and Matt Foos (bass and drums, respectively) lay down tight, thunderous rhythms, complemented by guitarist, Robert Cuica’s swift movement between chunky riffs, smooth licks, and chaotic noise. On “8 Ball,” the group channels their best classic punk roots, bringing to mind Joan Jett in her days with The Runaways, while the handclapping shuffle of “Look Good For the Radio” pays homage to the early days of rock n’ roll.
“Pink Plastic Cups,” released first as a single in late 2016, is one of the most addictive songs on the album, with a chorus designed to have the listener singing along before the first spin is over. The album closes with the larger-than-life “I’m Fine,” with subdued, reverb-drenched verses that explode into a wall of sound on the choruses. 0% Fun is a must-listen album, from a band that won’t give up until you do.