The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks 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 The Penguin Rocks 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.



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.


 
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Golden Cage" by Cranston Dean

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Golden Cage," the latest single from Cranston Dean.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...7/3/25




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from July 1-7, 2025




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/30/25






 

MORE NEWS

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Linda Eder at Axelrod Performing Arts Center on June 26, 2025.


The Newton Theatre presents Tonight's the Night - a tribute to Rod Stewart




Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang




An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal




Split Level Concerts at JSAC Announces Lineup of Opening Acts for its Second Season Beginning this Fall






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


Sounds of a Summer Night: Music, Nature, and Community in Concert at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets to Reeves-Reed Arboretum and celebrate summer with their 2025 concert series, Sounds of a Summer Night! All performances will be held on select Wednesday evenings on the grounds of this non-profit public garden located in Summit.


2025 Horizon Sounds of the City at NJPAC




South Orange Summer Nights to Offer Free Concerts Every Wednesday Night In July




Middlesex County's Free Concert Series Returns for 2025






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info


The Penguin Rocks

© 2025 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Presented by 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, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads


News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates