Play it by Ear

Fussing about Fairbanks

By: Jordan Kerfeld

Posted: 3/17/08

EP's from local bands occasionally float my way, but it is rare that I receive a complete album so polished and utterly enjoyable as "Naked Feet" by Kansas City's own Fairbanks.

My personal acquaintance with the band has been quite unusual. Last spring, I had the opportunity to view a sophisticated music video for the song "Elevator," directed by Fairbanks saxophonist Marshall Tinnermeier.

He managed to mirror the confusing, exhilarating and varied tone of a challenging and sophisticated three-minute song. Those three adjectives could best describe "Naked Feet," which was released some time ago but only recently made its way into my headphones.

Most of the local albums I have received have proved that comparison is a futile activity. There's always some aspect or interpreted influence that gets in my way.

The vocalist sounds a bit like Ben Folds and Fountains of Wayne. He has a very pleasant and smooth voice that compliments a slick indie rock set that also incorporates unusual instruments like saxophone and trombone.

The most impressive element of Fairbanks is they know what they are doing. They feel like a jam band at heart, but have a masterful touch at reigning things in before they get overblown and arbitrary.

We get a few teases of their range with the Broken Social Scene/Iron Butterfly-esque "Don't Touch My Stuff" that is lush but makes for reasonable listening.

For those interested in good pop rock, album opener "Stanley" fits the bill, heavy on pianos and punctuated with exuberant horns. The nature of the lyrics and sound lend an easy comparison to Ben Folds, but it sounds completely unique to Fairbanks.

It is followed by "Elevator," the hardest and heaviest track among the lot, which reveals the cool and confident sound one is to expect from their music.

The saxophone drones menacingly as electronic sounds spin endlessly and drums urgently thump during an instrumental break that is just the right length.

Personal favorite goes to "Natural Disaster," an understated song that could simply be described as bittersweet as the music expertly compliments a tale about the non-assertive protagonist. "Suit and tie and brief case/he's not ready for outer space/she put her smile on his face/if he'd only allow/and he's not sure how to do it, so he's leaving it up to her."

Ironically, this track about control shares some of the better solos (which are more individual-centered) on the collection.

I don't actively search for local music, and I am often amazed at what others turn me on to. Fairbanks' music has apparently popped up on local radio and they play frequently in the area. I'm a bit embarrassed that I have missed them for this long. They've definitely shown me the error of my ways.

"Naked Feet" is the most incredible blind-siding I have ever experienced, and the band is definitely worth catching before it inevitably (and deservedly) heads for a larger stage.

For more information about Fairbanks, visit: http://www.myspace.com/fairbankskc.

Grade: A

jkerfeld@unews.com