SounDrive Records – July 17. 2020
One seminar away from a tragic classic
Words Like Wildfire have slowly been building a fan base since forming in Hamilton, Ontario in 2017. Over those three years vocalist Ian Archer, bassist and vocalist A.J. Chmilar, guitarist Cody Wood, and drummer Avery Mocha have developed their sound into a blend of post hardcore and pop punk. On the five-song Classic Tragedy, the quintet are quick to point out the musical growth and diversity they have worked on since their last EP, 2017’s Quarter Life Crisis.
Words Like Wildfire are the post-hardcore Degrassi Junior High; young, Canadian and one obstacle shy of superstardom. Lyrically this is nothing you haven’t heard before, overwrought metaphors, melodrama and immature pleas for understanding, but musically Words Like Wildfire come off like seasoned boxers, measuring the listeners and showing restraint but the threat of a beat down is always looming.
Classic Tragedy opens with lead single “The Rain,” a fair introduction to the band’s recurring themes of self-doubt, self-reflection and self-care. Archer and Chmilar’s passionate vocals overshadow the lyrics seemingly torn from adolescent journals. Follow-up track “Painted Pictures” does an even better job of hiding the lyrical weakness with a swelling arrangement that includes mallet percussion and features Luke Snider of The Parallel. The song is driven by the melodic instrumentals and driving drum lines while the background harmonizing deepens the sonic force.
Title track “Classic Tragedy” features heavier drumming and more screaming, a call back to previous releases like Quarter Life Crisis where the band was still learning the impact of subtlety. “Classic Tragedy” is in your face musically and lyrically its even more direct as there is no hiding the way Words Like Wildfire feel about their personal struggles and how hard overcoming substance abuse can be.
The album has garnered extra attention for the guest vocals of Kellin Quinn (Sleeping with Sirens) on “Shake the Fear.” The most recent single, “Shake the Fear” is the most optimistic track on the EP, as overarching themes of community and support create a sense that together Words Like Wildfire and their listeners can overcome anything. “I Won’t Forgive You” closes out Classic Tragedy and the track is exactly what the title sounds like, angry and direct. Again, the song may be based in rudimentary elements of the scene, but its hard to notice because of how enjoyable the melodies and passion are.
Words Like Wildfire have created a musical foundation that shows they have all the potential to develop into legends among the scene once the lyrics become as nuanced as the musicianship and personally I can not wait for the lyricists to grow into something befitting their musical talents.
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/
