There are few bands in this life that will really impact you right from the beginning. Fringe is such a band. With a sound closely related to Dave Matthews Band, and strangely U2. Fringe has melded those sounds together to develop a sound that has created it's own genre. A sound that rocks, but still pricks your soul. They are unique in themselves, but still familiar enough to make you feel at home listening to them. Fringe consists of Jason Clark: Vocals, Acoustic/Electric Guitar, Eric Perry: Drums, Jeremy Cole: Bass, and Shawn Harnish: Electric Guitar. Cole and Perry seem to read each other perfectly to put together a beat as bizarre as Keep Me, and still make it plausible. At first you might be thrown off a bit, by how melodically chaotic it is, only to be drawn back to it again later. The main attraction of this album is the depth to their lyrics, they speak honestly of trails, heartache, and struggling to be the "Perfect Christian". Few bands expose themselves so willingly. You have to admire anyone who has the gumption to do so. They mix a blend of tact, and bluntness, to tell you exactly how they feel. Clarks vocals have a richness, a fullness, surrounded with a harmony that borders on symphonic, they pull you deeper into their sound. With masterful lyrics like Mercy, that bespeak of the hardship people feel when trying to place to much value in mankind and lose sight of God's purpose for their lives. Take Away is a reminder to place all your burdens at his feet, and Head Over Heels is a tribute to romantic love. With each song you are compelled to listen once, than once again. The honesty that Fringe is open to expressing is luminous, and thought provoking at the same time. They lure you deeper only to crash you to the surface with the ease of their lyrical capabilities. Fly, and One More Day To There, sound like they could be off Dave Matthews latest album, but yet the quality is far greater than that. You can only compare to a degree before realizing there is nothing in which to truly compare. Fringe has mastered the art of perfecting their own musical ability, to pull you closer to discover for yourself what it is that makes you want to listen to them. This band truly seems willing to make the Sacrifice it takes to make it.
By: Kris Brown Gabbitas