Frozen in Time - Runawy Fire

Listening to this album was a treat, and one I had to keep coming back to out of sheer love for the group. I was first introduced to the band, like many southern Utah concert goers, in a live setting, and despite this being a review of the band's debut album, I would be remise if I didn't mention how thrilling they are to see live. 

The first track on the album kicks into a loving ballad about a couple that fall in love at a concert setting while the "Drummer Girl" is on stage. The song ebbs and flows tinged with piano stabs and guitar noodles, held steadily aloft by the powerhouse rhythm section, curtesy of drummer Ian Shaw and bassist Chancelor Taylor. The track suddenly explodes into a cacophony of noise  dotted by vocal adlibs before landing at the final chorus, just to jump off into another amazing instrumental section. "Dozen Frozen Roses" starts off with a beautiful harpsichord like synthesizer and re-centers us as we get ready to ride alongside the main character of the song. The verses expertly build up to the heart raising choruses. The lyrical hook of the chorus is insatiable and will stay with you hours after you finish listening to the track.

Track three is the funkiest track of the album. It proudly displays syncopated instrumentation that is nigh impossible to resist dancing along to. By the time the chorus rolls around, singer/guitarist, Mike Wilson, has instilled the feeling that gives "Pleasing to Me" its name. As we launch into the ambient, hypnotic synth drones of "Home" it is a perfect time to recognize keyboardist Marci Allen's mastery of her instrument, so beautifully weaving between supplementing the music and taking center stage with elegant melody lines. "Home" is a sweet ballad with a melody that lulls you throughout the entire track.

Kicking off the second half of the album, "Hour of Ghouls" shifts us into a minor key and sits us into the eerie, but undoubtedly groovy theme of this stand out track. How many songs could get away with using the lyrics "The batteries are dead in my portable flashlight" as a hook and have every listener bobbing their head right along with the song? Runaway fire refuses to sit in a single musical style and each track is a welcome surprise, and this is highlighted in "Desert Pines". The cinematic textures that bring us into the first verse are Christopher Nolan-eque and could easily sit behind a blockbuster film. 

"Lovely You Are" is another foray into romantic song writing and the band pulls it off effortlessly. The song is peppered with instrumental sections that can only be described as lovely. "Lovely You Are" shows off Wilson's songwriting ability in full form. The chorus sections are as ear-wormy as the beach boys, but contain a self containing edge that helps retain the Runaway fire sound. 

The final track on the album might be my favorite. "Wool Socks" is no less cinematic or expertly crafted than any other track on the hit filled "Frozen in Time". I can't get enough of the ever changing melodic hooks that evolve into each other seamlessly, but pull you deeper and deeper compelling you to explore the wonderland described in the song. By the time the song ends, I'm ready to put my own wool socks on and start the adventure all over again.

Runaway fire's debut "Frozen in Time" is a expert collection of perfectly crafted songs, performed in highest form that can only be cultivated by the dedication, practice and chemistry exhibited by all four members of the group. Don't waste any more time, stream this album right now, and follow Runaway Fire on Instagram to be kept up to date on their live performances and all things Runaway Fire.