Fierce Bad Rabbit-Review

Jenn Cohen | February 1, 2013 | 0 Comments

by Hannah Lintner

Fierce Bad Rabbit released their new album, The Maestro and the Elephant, on New Year’s Eve at Hodi’s Half Note. Before the show, the band celebrated their success with friends and family at the Opiate Gallery in Fort Collins. Following an array of heartfelt toasts, the entire band, along with talented album artist Susanna Dominguez, signed a large print of the album art to be auctioned off later at the show. The album, completed in September, relied on the support of many dedicated fans. With the assistance of 165 donors, the band’s Kickstarter campaign exceeded their goal of $10,000 required to finish producing the album.

Colorado artists Dear Rabbit and Pep*Squad joined in the celebration of the New Year, the success of friends, and Fort Collins’ collective love for local music. Dear Rabbit, a solo project belonging to artist Rence Liam, uses trumpet, guitar, and accordion in his experimental, avant-garde folk songs. The constant switching of instruments contributes to a grand sense of movement onstage. The songs build up slowly, demanding the audience’s captive attention. The gypsy punk old-fashioned blues are perfect late-night drunken ballads. In absolute contrast to Dear Rabbit’s singularity, Pep*Squad formed a crowd upon the stage. Donning neon shades, lots of sparkles, and dark sunglasses, Fort Collins artists came together to produce a project unlike most. Bassist Brett Schreiber gathered together Erin McGraw to play guitar, Sean Speer for drums, and Cody Witsken, who plays the keys. Devon Parker and Alana Rolfe added vocals and tambourine. Schreiber, Speer, and Rolfe also play together in the local band Stella Luce. After a hiatus of over a year, the band brought back their purely fun, dance-pop music. Absolutely impossible not to move to, Pep*Squad’s high energy contributes to a fantastically fun live show.

Band members Chris Anderson, Alana Rolfe, Dayton Hicks, and Max Barcelow display their unquestioned talent in their new songs. The band’s second full-length album, The Maestro and the Elephant, illuminates the obvious growth that the musicians have made. In this new album, Fierce Bad Rabbit effectively maintains their pop folk aura while still managing to develop new aspects in their music. While the songs give the impression of being more composed, the band explores a wide range of independent musical styles. “When All You Got Is Worry…Let Go” is particularly upbeat, as whistling tunes contribute to an incredibly playful focus in the pop rock song. The band experiments with a more southern folk element in “Better Days,” a simplistic song focusing on an elegant blend of harmonies. “Time Machine,” which was introduced to the public at the band’s set during New West Fest, embodies FBR’s classic act of entrancing their audience with passion. Absolutely striking lyricism and an effective balance of energy contributes to the brilliance of The Maestro and the Elephant.