Birds of Tokyo "March Fires"

 

For the past couple of years I've seen this band camped out on the Australian charts, but I was always a little late in my discovery and never pulled the trigger on a purchase.  When I sampled the music, it came off as a Coldplay/U2-style worthy of a full listen, so when "March Fires" was released on 3/1, I made the purchase. 

I'm probably one of only a few in the States to do so as it is only available here digitally but enough Aussies bought it to generate a #1 entry onto the ARIA charts.  Not surprising as the two previous albums peaked at #3 and #2.  This single is their first Top 10 appearance (#3) and went Platinum...



That certainly didn't move me.  This is the follow-up that was released just a couple of weeks ago...



Nice legs...but the song?  Meh.  This music all seemed rather homogenous compared to the previous selections I had heard and I thought maybe it was just me, but as I searched for native Australian commentary I discovered I was not alone.  Suffice it to say that many of those fans were sorely disappointed and wished they hadn't blindly bought the album.  Not a good sign...which must be why the band is heading to L.A. in a few days to play a couple of free shows.  Americans buy crap like this all the time so why not? 

I'll be surprised if this record gets domestic distribution.  It has many of the "hit" formulas but only one real keeper, and it is neither of the two I played for you.  Uh oh...