Forge Again (2024)
I've had this Fig Dish LP for a while and for some reason I have struggled trying to figure out what to write about it. First thing first, it's great. That's not the issue. But I feel like there's some sort of story that I should be telling about my relationship to Fig Dish over the years. The only problem is that it's not a particularly deep or profound relationship. They have always been a band that I really liked and never understood why their CDs were always in the used/cutout bins next to The Figgs and Flop. Writing that sounds like I'm taking a shot at those bands, but all three put out records in the mid 90s that I think are just outstanding. If anything, the story of Fig Dish to me is that of a band that for whatever reason never got their due at the time.
Feels Like The Very First Two Times contains songs that were recorded for a planned third Fig Dish LP that was meant to come out in 1998 or 1999 I would assume. That never happened, though when I listen to these songs, it takes me right back to everything I loved about Fig Dish. The big, crunchy guitars driving through monster hooks with wry lyrics. These songs are every bit as good as anything on their second or third albums (Thanks to Alan for reminding me about their first album that I always forget about). Part of my brain then wonders why material this strong never came out at the time, but then the other part wonders if this album would have been received any different than the others? I don't really know the answer and that's frustrating in some ways, but the fact that it did finally come out is really the thing I should be focused on. And the fact that it's out on vinyl is even better.
This is easily one of the best records I've heard this year. Sure, technically these songs aren't 'new' songs in 2024, but they've never been officially released before, so I'm definitely counting it as a top record of 2024. I just hope this is the first of at least three Fig Dish records being released on vinyl as mentioned in the excellent liner notes. I need those first two albums!
Fig Dish - Feels Like The Very First Two Times:
