Album Review: Rick Fights - Fights

It's interesting how often throughout musical history that the demise of a band can bring about incredible different sonic endeavours destined to outlive their origins. Local indie darlings I Heart Hiroshima may have gone quiet over the past few years, but each member has dived straight into the dark waters of the unknown, all emerging dramatically altered. Lead guitarist Matthew Somers, here reimagined as Rick Fights, has strapped on the solo guise and on semi-eponymous debut release Fights presents seven insular narratives that are solemn, sparse and stirring.

Cracking open the vault with the maudlin Your Father, it's clear that Somers is delving into the shadowy realms of reflection and hindsight, with mainly strong results. The plaintive drawl of Suitcase Full Of Shadows can grate after a time, yet the palate is instantly cleansed by the brooding Kings, a standout moment. The slowburn rock of I Came Out Swinging is another highlight, with a lysergic alt-country swagger that is the ying to the elegiac, almost ominous yang of The Hill. The electric guitar is brought out once more for Happier, which is anything but – dark ruminations underscored with instrumentation that evokes a rolling thunderstorm across the desolate plains a la local act Nikko. The portentous nature flows on to closer Flood, befitting as it washes the slate clean, a purging of the damaged soul.

Featuring former bandmate Cameron Hawes and kindred souls Michelle Brown and Innez Tulloch, Fights remains steeped in Somers' rustic take on low laments, yet it's clear that it is also a release, a successful sojourn of the self. Somers continues to develop his craft, thus making his next release a highly-anticipated one.