Let’s get it out of the way: Finnish quartet Cats On Fire have been listening intently to The Smiths and Morrissey. Like many others. However, songwriter, guitarist and singer Mattias Björkas sounds at times so much like The Moz on this followup to 2007s acclaimed debut, ‘The Province Complains’, that concepts like twilight zone seem appropriate to apply.

And this is the Achilles heel of ‘Our Temperance Movement’. Mainly because the overall sound and feel makes Björkas’ bittersweet and quite entertaining lyrics on love, human interaction and behavior – the latter pinned in the acidic commentary on the hedonistic time warp that is the ferry trip between Finland and Sweden, ‘Letters From A Voyage To Sweden’ – the artistically original highlight.

However, if you can look beyond (or ignore) the obvious correlation between Cats On Fire and the above mentioned heroes, you will find yourself enjoying an immensely pleasing pop-rock album while being impressed by the Finn’s abilities to write and deliver sumptuous, jangly songs carving a sardonic smile on summer’s face.

Genre: Rock
Who: Cats On Fire
Album: Our Temperance Movement
Label: Pyramid/Johanna Kustannus
Year: 2009
Country: Finland
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
Horoscope – Lay Down Your Arms – Letters From A Voyage To Sweden – The Steady Pace – Fabric