Throughout the years of listening to music of all shapes, sizes, and sounds, there is truly nothing more frustrating than finding a new album from a new group and being under whelmed by the effort. The group appears to have what it takes to succeed because the songs are pleasing to the ears, but for some strange reason, the total package comes across as less than the sum of its component parts. And that’s the impression received when listening to Wooden Teeth, the debut release from the Lakeland, FL band Mouse Fire. The guitar lines are twisting and snaking, the drumming is crisp, and the energy is present and prevalent, yet it’s difficult to shake the feeling that something is lacking. Maybe it’s the thin, less-than-inspiring vocals or the fact that most of the songs move along with the same relative upbeat, dance-rock tempo. For every strong song like “Comes Around Goes Around” or “Started A Fire,” there are tired tracks like “Feel Good Drag” and “Friendship.” With as much talent as Mouse Fire seems to have with crafting a danceable hook, they need to set aside the formulas and start experimenting with the edges and limits of their sound.
-- Adam P. Newton
