Download the Library Is On Fire's Awesomely '90s-Revival Anthem "Vanessa's Theatre of Peace"
Yes In My Backyard is a semiweekly column showcasing MP3s from new and emerging local talent.
Brooklyn trio The Library Is On Fire is a straightforward, all-thrills, unpretentious alt-rock blast--a band that understands the perfect balance between noise and melody. It helps that frontman Steve Five is a working engineer to the art-stars, tweaking the most recent albums by Red Dawn II, USAISAMONSTER ,and Oneida. Sure, he's adopted a good bit of their crunch and wail, but melodically, the Library On Fire could have been introduced by Matt Pinfield circa 1996 between some new ones by Local H, Hole and Dinosaur Jr. Unlike their Alternative Nation forebears, however, TLIF like their choruses loud and their verses loud too. Much of the credit for that can be given to drummer Pete Sustarsic, who just beats the everliving fuck out of his drums all over their upcoming debut, Magic Windows, Magic Nights (out April 6 on Fill In The Blank/RED). First taste, "Vanessa's Theatre Of Peace" chugs like a Jawbox for the Death By Audio generation, full of Five's well-played harmonies, while Sustarsic and bassist Mark Shue take turns at being virtuoso and caveman.![]()

























