My Tiger My Timing: 'This Is Not The Fire'
Sometimes you can tell a lot about a band from their MySpace, can’t you? As soon as I came across My Tiger My Timing’s page I had a feeling I’d be in for computerized electro pop complete with complimentary glo-sticks and neon signs. I was right to an extent, single ‘This Is Not The Fire’ bearing many of the hallmarks of a band capitalising on their era, taking elements of the 80’s, reworking them around the Hot Chip/Klaxons model and adding personality so as not to fall beneath the radar in a field full of would-be protagonists.
It’s difficult to assess bands within such a popular and thriving genre, at least I find it tricky, all because the backbone of what they do is often a shared one and only their most delicate additions or subtle removals separate them from one another and my thoughts haven’t altered since listening to and reviewing this single. The question I keep asking myself is what would make me want to go and see these ahead of countless others? What separates this single and elevates it towards the upper echelons of the pile? Well, before their manager tries to obtain my address and send me hate mail, the answer is a couple of things. Yes, My Tiger My Timing have a bit to offer judging by ‘This Is Not The Fire’, it just took me a few listens to notice. I can hear the guitars here for starters; in fact they’re almost prominent, adding an indie dimension that is often neglected by others. That’s what I find most endearing about this song actually, it has all the look of electro pop, many of the instruments, but holds onto the key principles of indie to somehow merge the two genres in a way few have. I’m sure this will help the band gain fans from both sides of the dance floor because there really is a bit of something for everyone. Crucially, too, the chorus is the strongest element of the song; very much dance-along/sing-along quality and representative of a band capable of engineering a pop song successfully. Unfortunately though the song just doesn’t have the immediate impact you get from more established members of the electro club. It doesn’t scream ‘hit’ nor particularly make you want to dance, it just operates efficiently and stylishly without ever hitting the heights promised by the chorus.
In terms of delivery, the vocal is decent without throwing out any spectacular suprises and the synth sounds are identifiably original, the pair complimenting each other well alongside suitably up-tempo drums. All in all it’s a good song, a decent starting point and it showcases a lot of potential, I just felt it was knocking on the door without entering. If My Tiger My Timing can take this type of chorus, a really excellent one, and construct a more intriguing support cast they can probably make a big name for themselves, capitalising on their apparent ability to merge different sounds well. I still think it’s an ‘if’, though.
6/10
Words: Benjamin Coley.
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