It might seem odd to some that Tom Gabel has released a solo album figuring his band Against Me! started as a solo act. However, Heart Burns is not an album full of Against Me! songs. Instead the seven tracks that attempt to cross Gabel’s Against Me! sound with an earnest attempt at folk-rock that misses a bit more than it hits.
Two unfortunate problems that plague Heart Burns are strange percussion sounds and heavy handed lyrics. The percussion sounds, especially those on tracks such as “Conceptual Paths” and “100 Years of War”, just sound incredibly unnatural. While this might work in another situation, it sucks the warmth and lifeblood out of a folk album. Instead of feeling incredibly real and personal, the percussion sounds throw up a barrier that separates Gabel and the listener.
Additionally, Gabel is not at his lyrical peak on Heart Burns. While he’s always had a way of rushing lyrics, that style doesn’t lend itself as well to folk infused tunes as punk songs. Most of the songs feel slightly heavy handed with their sentiments. While this is probably just Gabel’s way of releasing his political angst after the progressive shift Against Me! has made away from such topics, his lyrical venom doesn’t seem to sting as much as it has in the past. It’s just a case of less precise verbatim, which is a tad upsetting.
There are, however, two great tracks on Heart Burns. One is the album’s opener, “Random Hearts”; a straight up rocker with complete with hand claps and dirty bass. It is the kind of filthy fun dark fun that brings to mind Queens of the Stone Age’s Songs for the Deaf crossed with a Heaven’s song.
The other track worth mentioning is the slightly flawed but engrossing “Anna Is a Stool Pigeon”. It’s a tale Eric McDavid, an actual environmental activist and anarchist, whose plan to blow up Nimbus Dam was foiled by an FBI informant named “Anna” who had coerced herself into his inner circle. The song really gets a huge boost thanks to a lively harmonica and background vocals provided by Chuck Regan. The tune showcases both the the good and the bad of Gabel’s lyrical work. While many lines are cluttered, others like, “Be careful what you think, be careful what you say, it might be used against you in court one day,” just flow so perfectly.
The album doesn’t really sound like it fits anywhere, and not in the good, unique way. It just seems to be noncommittal. The album is too sparse for a rock record and too overdone for a folk record. Tracks like “Harsh Realm” are just far too distant for the typical folk styling. It not that Gabel’s effort here is for loss, it just falls short of expectations.
Review Score: 6.7
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