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October 13, 2024


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Fistfull
Fortune Cookie (Fistfull)

By: Jeb Branin

I usually try to listen to the CDs that are sent in for review long before I even glance at the press kits, promotional items and band pictures. That way I can formulate my own opinion about the music before I get influenced by all the accompanying hype. Such was the case with the "Fortune Cookie" CD from FISTFULL. The CD sat in my "to be reviewed" files for a month before I finally got around to putting it on but it only took until the end of the first song before I was a convert to the FISTFULL cause. Their blistering brand of post-punk is an equal mix of attitude, ire and intelligent ranting. My enthusiasm for the CD has not waned after repeated listening, in spite of the fact the brilliance of that opening track ("Look Me In The Eye") sets such a high standard that the band only matches on a handful of other songs ("Love Is Blind," "War Machine" and "Amends"). What really strikes me is how the band presents a variety of seeming contradictions for the listener: they are raw yet tight, snotty yet sensitive, complex yet straight forward, unique yet familiar, and passionate yet esoteric. More than anything else they remind me of LUCID NATION with their kinetic vocals, riot grrrl influences and diverse songstylings. Imagine my surprise when I finally dug out the band's press kit and recognized the bass player as someone I had briefly known in high school (and had a secret crush on) 18 years ago! Naturally I like the band even more now.15
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