Oh, Common Life
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Oh, Common Life
| type = Album
| artist = Fireworks
| cover = Oh, Common Life.jpg
| alt =
| released = March 25, 2014
| recorded = Summer and October 2013,
Salad Days, Baltimore
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Alternative rock, indie rock, pop punk, rock and roll
| length = 35:28
| label = Triple Crown
| producer = Brian McTernan
| prev_title = Gospel
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = Higher Lonely Power
| next_year = 2023
}}
Oh, Common Life (stylized as (oh), common life.) is the third studio album by American rock band Fireworks. After the release of their previous album, Gospel (2011), the band went on hiatus. During this hiatus the band wrote and demoed new material. In the summer of 2013 the band returned to the studio, with Brian McTernan producing. The band's next album was announced in January 2014 and was released a couple of months later through Triple Crown. Prior to the album's release, "Glowing Crosses" and "Flies on Tape" were made available for streaming. Music videos were released for "Glowing Crosses", "Bed Sores", and "...Run, Brother, Run...", in March, August and October, respectively.
Background, composition and recording
Following the release of their second album, Gospel (2011), Fireworks went on a temporary hiatus. According to guitarist Chris Mojan, "Everything was getting to be a little much. [...] There was a lot of pressure in our lives, in our relationships with people at home." While on the hiatus, the band were writing new material as early as January 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2601482|title=Fireworks Begin Writing New Tunes|work=AbsolutePunk.net|access-date=August 9, 2015}} The group was unsure if their next release would be an EP or an album.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2729472|title=Fireworks Still Writing|work=AbsolutePunk.net|access-date=August 9, 2015}} In June, it was announced that the band were recording demos.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2779342|title=Fireworks Begins Demoing New Music|work=AbsolutePunk.net|access-date=August 9, 2015}} The band went on the 2012 edition of Warped Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2618582|title=Fireworks Playing Warped Tour + New Music|work=AbsolutePunk.net|access-date=August 9, 2015}} In August, it was revealed the band were writing specifically for a new album.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2844212|title=Fireworks Writing New Material|work=AbsolutePunk.net|access-date=August 9, 2015}} Mojan revealed the band had taken "a very selfish approach" to the new material. The group "just wrote the record we wanted to write" and as a result, "ended up being our most personal" collection of songs. The album was dedicated to Mackinder's father, David Mackinder Sr.{{cite AV media notes|title=Oh, Common Life |others=Fireworks |year=2014 |type=Gatefold |publisher=Banquet/Triple Crown|id=KT1-046/5060124571522}} "...Run, Brother, Run..." is about Mackinder looking back on his father's death, which happened in April 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_drop_off_tour_with_the_wonder_years|title=Fireworks "very likely" to return to co-headlining tour with the Wonder Years "at some point"|work=Alternative Press|author=Karan, Tim|date=April 11, 2011|access-date=August 12, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402105006/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_drop_off_tour_with_the_wonder_years|archive-date=April 2, 2014}} Mackinder revealed that "Reflecting on death and the past can be equally as haunting as it is inspiring. I think from tragic situations comes unexplainable wisdom sometimes."
In the summer and October 2013 the band recorded Oh, Common Life at Salad Days, located in Baltimore. The album was produced by Brian McTernan, who had produced Gospel.{{cite AV media notes|title=Gospel |others=Fireworks |year=2011 |type=Booklet |publisher=Banquet/Triple Crown|id=KT1- 024}} McTernan also engineered and mixed the album. Mastering was done by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. It was later revealed that the band tried to get Bill Clinton to play saxophone on the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/detroit-pop-punks-fireworks-asked-bill-clinton-to-play-saxophone-on-their-l|title=Detroit Pop-Punks Fireworks Asked Bill Clinton To Play Saxophone On Their Last Album. Yep, Really.|work=Rock Sound Magazine|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918235547/http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/detroit-pop-punks-fireworks-asked-bill-clinton-to-play-saxophone-on-their-l|archive-date=September 18, 2015}}
Release
On December 13, 2013 Fireworks posted a teaser video with the title "Oh, Common Life", the video featured a clip of a new song.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_post_teaser_video_with_new_song_clip|title=Fireworks post teaser video with new song clip|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216043256/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_post_teaser_video_with_new_song_clip|archive-date=December 16, 2013}} This new song was later revealed to be "Oh, Common Life". On January 29, 2014 Fireworks announced their third album, Oh, Common Life for release and revealed the artwork.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_announce_new_album_oh_common_life|title=Fireworks announce new album, 'Oh, Common Life'|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331021418/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_announce_new_album_oh_common_life|archive-date=March 31, 2014}} The artwork was created by Michael Egave Burdick who provided illustrations, while John Regan did the design and the layout. "Glowing Crosses" was made available for streaming on February 13.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_stream_new_song_glowing_crosses|title=Fireworks stream new song, "Glowing Crosses"|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304223416/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_stream_new_song_glowing_crosses|archive-date=March 4, 2016}} On February 20, the album's track list was revealed.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3667121|title=Fireworks Album Up for Pre-Order|work=AbsolutePunk.net|access-date=August 9, 2015}} On March 4, "Flies on Tape" was made available for streaming.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_release_new_song_flies_on_tape|title=Fireworks release new song, "Flies On Tape"|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212928/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_release_new_song_flies_on_tape|archive-date=March 4, 2016}} Starting from March 5 until mid April, the band supported The Wonder Years on their Greatest Generation World Tour, after Defeater dropped off the tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/defeater_drop_off_the_wonder_years_tour_fireworks_to_replace|title=Defeater drop off The Wonder Years tour; Fireworks to replace|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026095133/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/defeater_drop_off_the_wonder_years_tour_fireworks_to_replace|archive-date=October 26, 2014}} On March 18, the album was made available for streaming via the Red Bull website.{{cite web|url=http://www.redbull.com/us/en/music/stories/1331640166553/fireworks-oh-common-life-album-premiere|title=Fireworks - 'Oh, Common Life' Album Premiere|work=redbull.com|author=Chang, Richard S.|date=March 18, 2014|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809004731/http://www.redbull.com/us/en/music/stories/1331640166553/fireworks-oh-common-life-album-premiere|archive-date=August 9, 2015}} Oh, Common Life was released on March 25 through Triple Crown.{{#tag:ref|U.S. Triple Crown 3175{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/oh-common-life-mr0004090021|title=Oh, Common Life - Fireworks - Release Information, Reviews and Credits|author=Deming, Mark|work=AllMusic|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313080418/http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/oh-common-life-mr0004090021|archive-date=March 13, 2016}}|group="nb"}} On the same day, a music video was released for "Glowing Crosses".{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/fireworks_oh_common_life_track_by_track_and_glowing_crosses_video_premiere|title=Fireworks - 'Oh, Common Life' track by track and "Glowing Crosses" video premiere|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511005915/http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/fireworks_oh_common_life_track_by_track_and_glowing_crosses_video_premiere|archive-date=May 11, 2015}} On April 3, the band made the song "Oh, Common Life" available for streaming.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3696307|title=Fireworks Stream Unreleased Song Called "Oh, Common Life"|work=AbsolutePunk.net|access-date=August 9, 2015}} On June 6,{{cite web|url=https://triplecrownrecords.bandcamp.com/album/oh-common-life-sessions|title=Oh Common Life – Sessions - Triple Crown Records|date=6 June 2014|work=Triple Crown Records|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808201947/https://triplecrownrecords.bandcamp.com/album/oh-common-life-sessions|archive-date=8 August 2015}} the band released an acoustic EP called Oh, Common Life – Sessions.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_release_oh_common_life_sessions_ep_announce_july_tour_dates|title=Fireworks release 'Oh, Common Life - Sessions' EP; announce July tour dates|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808210650/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_release_oh_common_life_sessions_ep_announce_july_tour_dates|archive-date=August 8, 2015}}
The band went on a headlining tour in July with support from Young Statues and Better Off. On August 5, a music video was released for "Bed Sores",{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/fireworks-video-for-bed-sores-is-a-reminder-that-were-all-getting-old|title=Fireworks' Video For 'Bed Sores' Is A Reminder That We're All Getting Old|work=Rock Sound Magazine|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125339/http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/fireworks-video-for-bed-sores-is-a-reminder-that-were-all-getting-old|archive-date=September 24, 2015}} the video was directed by Max Moores.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_release_bed_sores_video|title=Fireworks release "Bed Sores" video|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808221647/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_release_bed_sores_video|archive-date=August 8, 2015}} The band wanted the video to be a representation of the whole album. The band supported New Found Glory on the Glamour Kills tour in October and November.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/new_found_glory_release_selfless_video_announce_tour_with_we_are_the_in_cro|title=New Found Glory release "Selfless" video; announce tour with We Are The In Crowd, Fireworks, more|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808211124/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/new_found_glory_release_selfless_video_announce_tour_with_we_are_the_in_cro|archive-date=August 8, 2015}} On October 22, a music video was released for "...Run, Brother, Run...".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6289357/fireworks-run-brother-run-video-exclusive-premiere-oh-common-life-2014|title=Fireworks|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808211912/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6289357/fireworks-run-brother-run-video-exclusive-premiere-oh-common-life-2014|archive-date=August 8, 2015}} The video is a companion to the song's concept – "like playing in a legion hall where our collective bands' first shows took place to a snapshot of home videos showing a personal side to the band", according to Mackinder. The video filmed in the band's hometown, Detroit, and was directed by John Komar and Mitchell Wojcik. In February and March 2015, the band performed at Soundwave festival in Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/slipknot_fall_out_boy_all_time_low_of_mice_men_more_announced_for_soundwave|title=Slipknot, Fall Out Boy, All Time Low, Of Mice & Men, more announced for Soundwave 2015|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Sharp, Tyler|date=August 20, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404052256/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/slipknot_fall_out_boy_all_time_low_of_mice_men_more_announced_for_soundwave|archive-date=April 4, 2017}} In May the band went on a tour of the UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/fireworks-announce-four-extra-uk-shows-around-slam-dunk-festival|title=Fireworks Announce Four Extra UK Shows Around Slam Dunk Festival|work=Rock Sound Magazine|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125337/http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/fireworks-announce-four-extra-uk-shows-around-slam-dunk-festival|archive-date=September 24, 2015}} In June and July, the band toured across the U.S. with support from Turnover and Sorority Noise.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_announce_headlining_tours_with_turnover_weatherbox_others|title=Fireworks announce headlining tours with Turnover, Weatherbox, others|work=Alternative Press|author=Sharp, Tyler|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303015917/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_announce_headlining_tours_with_turnover_weatherbox_others|archive-date=March 3, 2016}} The band went on another U.S. tour in August, with support from Weatherbox and Dry Jacket, before going on indefinite hiatus.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_going_on_indefinite_hiatus|title=Fireworks going on indefinite hiatus|work=Alternative Press|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808210821/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fireworks_going_on_indefinite_hiatus|archive-date=August 8, 2015}}
Reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AbsolutePunk
| rev1score = 8.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3695554|title=Fireworks - Oh, Common Life|work=AbsolutePunk.net|author=Nassiff, Thomas |access-date=August 9, 2015}}
| rev2 = AllMusic
| rev3 = Alternative Press
| rev4 = Pitchfork
| rev5 = Rock Sound
}}
The album charted at number 148 on the Billboard 200 chart. "Flies on Tape" was included on Alternative Press{{'}}s "11 New Songs You Need To Hear Before March 2014 Ends" list.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/11_new_songs_you_need_to_hear_before_march_2014_ends|title=11 New Songs You Need To Hear Before March 2014 Ends|work=Alternative Press|author=Kraus, Brian|date=March 26, 2014|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228181253/http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/11_new_songs_you_need_to_hear_before_march_2014_ends|archive-date=December 28, 2014}}
Track listing
{{expand section|songwriters|date=August 2019}}
- "Glowing Crosses" – 3:03
- "Bed Sores" – 2:42
- "The Back Window's Down" – 3:29
- "Flies on Tape" – 2:56
- "Woods" – 3:21
- "Play "God Only Knows" at My Funeral" – 2:59
- "One More Creature Dizzy with Love" – 3:45
- "The Only Thing That Haunts This House Is Me" – 3:07
- "The Sound of Young America" – 3:07
- "...Run, Brother, Run..." – 3:34
- "The Hotbed of Life" – 3:21
Personnel
Personnel per booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=Oh, Common Life |others=Fireworks |year=2014 |type=Booklet |publisher=Banquet/Triple Crown|id=KT1-046/5060124571522}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Fireworks
- David Mackinder – vocals
- Adam Mercer – keyboard
- Christopher Mojanorski – guitar
- Brett Jones – guitar
- Kyle O'Neil – bass
- Tymm Rengers – drums
{{col-2}}
;Production
- Brian McTernan – engineer, producer, mixing
- Ryan Smith – mastering
- Michael Egave Burdick – illustrations
- John Regan – design, layout
{{col-end}}
Chart performance
References
; Footnotes
{{reflist|2|group="nb"}}
; Citations
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLawMNLVMLgQUtKo30FGtvVRlmt70TiV9y Oh, Common Life] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
- [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLawMNLVMLgQXiQb-ffyXPdnuFYul48CRL Oh, Common Life – Sessions] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
{{Fireworks (punk band)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Fireworks (punk band) albums