New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


Makin Waves Record of the Week: "Liminal Spaces" by Fairmont


By Bob Makin

originally published: 11/19/2020

Makin Waves Record of the Week: "Liminal Spaces" by FairmontCharter Mint 400 recording act Fairmont are celebrating their 20th anniversary together with their 11th album, "Liminal Spaces." Founding singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer-videographer-graphic artist Neil Sabatino’s multi-hyphenated talents also include founder of the label. And what a great job he does all around on behalf of the North Jersey indie’s many bands and his bandmates. They are longtime collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Christian Kisala, who appears on a majority of the band’s catalog; keyboarist Lisa Grabinski (Dharma Plums), who’s appearing on her second Fairmont album; bassist Matt Cheplic (The Bitter Chills, Splendid Engine) on his third, and new guitarist Evan Pope (The Maravines).

 

The nine-song 31-minute exercise in garage rock and early alt-rock kicks off with its first single, “High Water Mark,” a dichotomous, emotional tune that recalls the British roots of modern rock, such as Echo & the Bunnymen, The Cure, and The Smiths. Lilting keyboards adad a Celtic rock flavor to somber lyrics about sadness amidst the sunshine of summer, the beauty of autumn, and the hope of spring, all of which are accented by an uplifting beat. 

Next “Naughty Naughty” is so British-sounding that Neil, an Italian-American from North Jersey, sports a faux accent on the fuzzadelic garage rocker, as he moans ‘n’ groans lamenting wasted nights upon the sharpest edge of pop.

Much like the opening single, “Strange Tourist” mines the moody treasure of late ’70s, early ’80s Brit alt-rock as it contemplates human nature. Another strong keyboard performance brings an innocent carnival-like feel to the otherwise contemplative track as it dances along buzzsaw guitars. 



 
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



If you threw the poppy emotion of Echo & the Bunnymen, the jangle of R.E.M., and the energy of mid-’60s rock into the rock ‘n’ roll blender, you’d get the peppy love song “Love Like Razorblades,” the album’s second single. I love the vibra slap on “House on Fire (Water Turned Off),” a Talking Heads-like fusion of rhythm and angst. Also fun is the  entertaining mix of ’80s alt-rock ala Violent Femmes with the urgently bouncy beat of ’60s garage rock on “That Sinking Feeling.”

The album closes out with “Please Excuse the Mess,” a Bowiesque breakdown about a spoiled brat; “The Good Life,” a rousing anthem for the lonely and withdrawn, and “The Devil, The Wolves, The Vampire,” a fun rhyme about horror propelled by a bouncy jangle. 

Neil and Mint 400 immediately will follow the impresive “Liminal Spaces” with a reissue of “Heartbreak in Stereo,” the only album by Pencey Prep, the early millennial band he was in with Frank Iero before Frank joined Eyeball Records label mates My Chemical Romance. When you’ve got history like that, it makes sense that Neil never seems to rest. And good for the New Jersey music scene that he doesn’t.  

 

Makin Waves Record of the Week: "Liminal Spaces" by Fairmont

 

Bob Makin is a reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK and the former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him via email and like Makin Waves on Facebook.



 
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY


Eric Hutchinson Band

Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 7:30pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

Click here for full description


Gaelic Storm & the High Kings: The Mighty Tour II

Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

Click here for full description


Mary Gauthier w/ special guest Jaimee Harris

Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
category: music

Click here for full description


Click here for more events

Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages.

Click here for more info.







 

LATEST NEWS


The Princeton Folk Music Society to Celebrate Pete Seeger's legacy with Professor Allan Winkler

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Folk Music Society presents a celebration of the legacy of Pete Seeger with Professor Allan Winkler on Friday, April 19, 2024 at Christ Congregation Church. The event begins at 8:00pm.


State Theatre New Jersey presents One Night of Queen




The Adelphi Orchestra Presents "Complexity & Simplicity" with SoHyun Ko




State Theatre New Jersey presents '60s Rock N' Roll Revival


Click here for more event previews







New Jersey Stage

© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!


Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and on our RSS feed


Art | Comedy | Dance | Film | Music | Theatre | Ad Rates | About Us | Pitch a Story | Links | Radio Shows | Privacy Policy