From the flawed:LOGIC review - Up to their old tricks again, the two original “Stabilizers” Ian and Brad plus new member Dan put forth another quality release on Nonexistant Recordings. Combining elements of rock, IDM, glitch, salsa, and even (though they may deny it) some pop, they seem to enjoy breaking down definitions of musical genres for their own pleasure. This is all made even more amazing when you realize that the three members have never even met. “What the hell are you talking about, Justin,” I can hear you asking your lifeless computer monitor. That’s right, the three bandmates have never shared a stage, or a green room, or even a pizza. Brought together through a subforum of the Something Awful website, they have collaborated on two albums with only the internet as their communication medium. They each record a part (like a drum track or guitar riff), send it to the other, where the other member would lay down another track (like a vocal or bass line) and then pass it along to the final member who would do the same. After everything was all said and done, they’d mix and master it together in the same way. It’s really amazing when you think about how much extra work would be required for something like this, but they pulled it off brilliantly. [Editor’s Note: Their story is quite aptly described on track 15: “The Old Timey Legend of Stabilizer”] The second track on the sophomore called “Needless” features singer Emily Rose whose voice reminds me of Sarah McLachlan at times (this is definitely a good thing). She sings about her own confusion about her perceived individuality, and whether she should grow up and end the “needless rebellion” that she’s been putting people through. It is almost a “coming of age” message, where young adult becomes adult, and realizes that trying to do the polar opposite of everything society says you should isn’t going to further any cause you might be fighting for. Really beautiful song. “We, Conquistadors” which features label mate Captain Dan should really have been left off the disc. Up until now, there’s been 9 songs of at least minimal seriousness, and then they have to go and destroy the credibility they’ve had up until now with a gimmick. A really trashy gimmick. Those of you who have read any of my reviews know that gimmicks rate just above having red hot nails being shot into my feet from point blank range, and “the pirate rapper” is no exception. Sure, some of these gimmicks are attempts at “lightening the mood during such serious times in life” or are “just fun and games” but we’re each entitled to our own opinions, and mine is that if I want to laugh, I’ll go watch some standup. Or if you must include stuff like this, leave it for an interlude. “Inside a Prayer”, the album’s only completely acoustic song, is another blissfully melodic piece that tugs at your heart strings at every corner. Simply a vocalist with his guitar (both vocals and guitar are by Siegert), the song strays quite far off the beaten path, even for Stabilizer, yet they manage to knock it out of the park, proving that there is no genre they can’t attack, no style they can’t master. All in all, A Fuse Slowly Burning is a great disc with only a few moments that I was less than excited about. They are experimental, they are expressive, but most of all, they are entertaining. Bringing together just the perfect bits and pieces from many different kinds of music, they’re able to blend them all together into a form that has something for everyone. They combine musical experience with incredible lyric writing to create 22 listenable songs that absolutely destroy their last release, and shows that a little effort can go a long way.