Here at the Send Me Your Ears studio today, we’ve been listening to the latest single from Boston-based, Dream of a Man in a Top Hat. Like a Fire Engine was released on January 20th, 2023.
Lee Leffler and Michael Frackleton are former members of Boston’s 80s post-punk band, Native Tongue and have conspired together to create DOAMIATH, an 80s-leaning duo using modern electronics and technology to create a truly unique sound.
Like a Fire Engine is an unapologetically unpolished psychedelic display of creativity. The full band sound comes in immediately and the vocals follow suit quickly afterwards.
The vocals are layered and feel authentically 80s in style, the whole song reminiscent of perhaps, Thomas Dolby or Flock Of Seagulls.
The duo make good use of panning – vocals come and go in each ear and the electronic hi-hat pans to one side. The bass takes a melodic approach, whilst the guitars are distant and crunchy.
The breakdown is the most experimental section of the whole track, with weird electronic sounds, and odd vocal sounds and the bassist is given the chance to do some nifty little runs before the vocals and guitar follow the same melody before exploding back into the chorus.
The song has a long fade-out and could be described as a soundscape and might well work as background music in a scene from a movie or TV show from this era.
Ideas from our ears.
A cut at 150Hz on the snare sound and a wider cut centred around 4.5-5kHz would reduce a peak in the low end as well as reducing some harsh tones in the upper register. A boost around 300-350Hz would help make fill out the low mids and a cut around 750Hz would balance out the mids on the whole. As always, these are just some ideas from our ears.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for some mind-bendingly experimental and psychedelic art rock, Like A Fire Engine by Dream of a Man in a Top Hat might just float your boat. For fans of Thomas Dolby, Flock of Seagulls, Duran Duran this song is a unique earworm that will stay with you!