Calling All Cars originated in Tilba, Australia but the three boys Haydn Ing, James Ing and Adam Montgomery have taken over more than just that town. They’ve started rule over the entire country. Starting their career with two explosive EP’s, the band has finally banded together to produce their debut album, Hold, Hold, Fire which strips your ears of their preconceptions. Whether you listen to Jack’s Mannequin, Paramore, Death Cab For Cutie or Owl City, Calling All Cars have proven themselves accessible and favoured by fans of any genre. The rock group are not bound by noise but forge a path through conventions.
The album’s opener, ‘Disconnect’, is similar to their earlier work, utilising lead vocalist, Hayden’s voice to heave above the cohesive, but nonetheless loud instruments. The pounding drums are the first thing to push heads up and down, merging angst with suspension. The tone fails to fade with the tracks ‘Run Away’. ‘Run Away’ and ‘Liar Liar’ featuring rushed and breathy lyrics with the same element that ruled ‘Disconnect’: rock. But as the track progresses it hits a wall of grunge. This layered technique could go wrong so easily, but Calling All Cars make is seem too good to be true, lifting the weight of the climax with a softer dialect which leads onto the tone of next track and new song, ‘Not Like Anybody’.
Clearly, ‘Not Like Anybody’ is a massive departure from the restless mood that weaved behind the beginning of the album. While there are no ties to screamo, Ing belts his heart out in defiance that ‘it’s better to leave a bitter taste’. Another interesting twist in this particular track is contrast. At points you feel Ing must have no throat left but then he will warp his chorus back to the steady beginning. ‘Not Like Anybody’ has a certain mock toward rebellion, enhanced deeply through the second person recount which gives the effect of a more epic, more story-like tragedy unfurling.
The title track ‘Hold, Hold, Fire’ revs up the tempo. Sparing no drumbeat a lingering timeframe, ‘Hold, Hold, Fire’ builds its power through swirling guitar that swamps versus. Again, Ing rips out his voice, further proving his ability to drive a song that was already going faster than sound. Toward the bridge, we see a momentary respite only to come clashing back to reality with a bigger bite than before. ‘This Ship Will Sail Without You’ is no less alive but just a little slower, adding a fresh breath of diversity to album. The tracklisting is spot on. With the onslaught that we experience, and most overtly, the discontent, ‘This Ship Will Sail Without You’ gives a well needed rest. Back on the path of rock ‘Soldier On’ and ‘Accident Waiting’ are without comparisons to early days, but this time with intense pride and certainty. The same can be said for ‘How Long’ which demonstrates how far Calling All Cars has come musically, obviously picking up and fine tuning their abrasive tunes to come out with the perfect balance of melancholy, rage and hope.
The album ends how it begun, with steam to hiss. There are too many good things about Hold, Hold, Fire to count but the development in comparison to the earlier EP’s is undeniable. There is never a filler moment on Hold, Hold, Fire. The album is relentless and a full on ride for those who dare to embrace it. Calling All Car’s debut is reminiscent of the sun; perpetually burning and scalding, but will guide you in the right direction if you let it.
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