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Michael Miller’s voice soars in Sun, the first single from Perth band Fourth Floor Collapse’s upcoming second album. If Starsailor ever get over their Jeff Buckley phase, they’d sound just like this – I can definitely hear touches of James Walsh here and there. It’s a gorgeous song that had me singing tunelessly along by the second chorus – very catchy!
The B-sides are just as good – Make Believe wouldn’t sound out of place on a Sneaker Pimps album (a new direction for the band perhaps?). Dirtside is beautiful, the vocals delicately weaving in and out of the guitars. Sun is a huge step away from the darker feel of Fourth Floor Collapse’s earlier releases, and will hopefully help them reach a wider audience in time for the release of the album. Good luck to them!
Liz Clark
15 April 2003
It is over a year since this Perth thing of strange majesty provided us with anything new. We are delighted to announce it was worth the wait. Michael Miller's so glorious strained warble is still at the centre, but here cradled by some gently ascendent guitar, and percussion that would easily sit alongside Iota or John Butler or Augie March. The whole effect, even in its gentler moments, is something akin to George on angry pills. They seem to manage the fine trick of removing the silly excesses and keeping the heart of what makes them special. Already being heard on the radio, and should be more so. Paralysingly beautiful in parts.
Ross Clelland
4 March 2003
Yet more quality Australian stuff. Fourth Floor Collapse have produced a quietly brilliant gem in Sun. Stately and emotive, the song recalls Achtung Baby-era U2, and the richly textured arrangement constantly introduces new elements to keep things interesting. A twisting bassline provides the impetus, draped with fleet-fingered acoustic picking, dramatic piano runs and gossamer strings all building towards a giddy, life-affirming peak. Gruff but commanding vocals complete the picture, with lyrics like all the ups and downs give me a life as good a summation as any of the song's world-weary yet optimistic tone.
Brett Collingwood
11 March 2003
Strictly speaking, this is only a CD single release but those who know Fourth Floor Collapse will understand and appreciate everything a four-track release entails. For a start, here is 20 minutes of music from a band nowhere near its prime. It's almost obvious that Fourth Floor Collapse will still be an enigmatic force years down the track as they're far too boundless to simply fade into obscurity.
If you haven't yet heard Sun, from Fourth Floor's upcoming second album, a godd description of it can be found in the season the title inspires - fun and optimism, basically. Track two, Let Me Drown, is equally impressive, albeit travelling a more brooding rock line - winter, possibly. Dirtside was featured on last year's WAMi compilation and the now classic Made Believe (the year before) are dished up in differing guises to round out this must have local release.
Brett Ladhams
6 March 2003
