REVIEW: The Tiger & Me – The Howling Fire EP

Melbourne six-piece, The Tiger & Me, release a spellbinding pop/folk EP, The Howling Fire(2011), that encapsulates the spirit of dancing gypsies and dark storytelling. It’s one of three bewitching EPs to be released this year.

The title track “So Let It Go” is a pop/folk sing-a-along and it’s catchy in it’s own right. But the rest of the tracks are under-estimated if you were to judge the EP on that one track, because there are some foot-stompin’ gems on this alluring and simply captivating EP.

I wanted to say that “So Let It Go” reminded me of the Beatles but I might as well say every pop/folk band sounds like them if they have harmonies and guitar. Tiger & Me can’t be put into the same group as they aren’t just any band. Although this track may be more digestible to the general public it does downplay the bands skills. The arrangement, However, gives us some insight into the dynamics of the band.

“Don’t You Just Set The World Alight” is a beautifully written song with elements of light and dark, hypnotic sections and soaring vocals that give this track so much dimension. It’s the storytelling that wins me over in this track, no doubt about that.

Their strengths seem to lie in the tracks “Tango” and “June”. “Tango” is a feverish gypsy/swing chant. The dynamics between the musicians is electrical. Boasting three lead vocalist, they seem to be able to reach new heights in each song.

“June” has a bluesy-folk feel, along the lines of Mumford & Sons. Again, great lyrics here. The banjo featured in the song fills in the spaces with jangly and melodic hooks.

Their last track on the EP, “The Little And The Lost” is probably the darkest song featured. It’s sweeping sincerity reminds me of Damien Rice‘s O (2002). However, The Tiger & Me‘s heart-thumping dynamics is entirely their own.

Check out some of their tour dates:

The Howling Fire tour

Saturday July 9 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne with Sal Kimber and the Rolling Wheel
Friday July 22 – Melbourne Cabaret Festival with The Nymphs
Saturday July 23 – Melbourne Cabaret Festival with The Nymphs
Sunday July 24 – Melbourne Cabaret Festival with The Nymphs
Saturday July 30 – The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide with Cheer Advisory Council
Friday August 5 – The Wrong Crowd, Geelong
Saturday August 20 – The Basement, Sydney with Peregrine and Evan & The Brave

THE TIGER & ME – The Howling Fire (EP) by showoffservices