Tapebenders are quickly becoming one of the more recognizable names on the Milwaukee scene, and their most recent release, “Set Your Life On Fire”, is a solid demonstration of why the band is emerging. With an eclectic sound that best falls under the indie rock category, although at times drifts elsewhere, there is a lot of talent to be recognized from this band.

Opener “Landless Emperor” is a whirling blend of indie alternative, psych, and countless other influences. The song feels more like a complete sonic experience than just a song. This quickly translates over to “Dead Reckoning”, a more raucous track with just as much intensity. Things mellow out ever so slightly on “Ghost King”, but there’s always a feeling of perpetual sound. This is all going somewhere, and it takes you along for the ride, as well. “Conversations” is a more expansive track, and really explores more sound than you should be able to pack into a single song. The opening section of “Set Your Life On Fire” has a very MGMT feel to it, if you gave them a shot of adrenaline before putting them on stage.

Things shift gears on “Going Back”, which opens in a very Americana fashion, but then breaks free with an impressive guitar solo and synths abounding. “Lesson” carries on in this fashion, with more psych than indie, and becomes an high energy jam in its own right. “Revolving Doors” follows that track, and very much sounds like it should be a staple of Tapebenders’ live set. In fact, this middle section of the record all sounds like it could translate to a live performance very easily.

Things get a bit more introspective on “White Elephant” which has a very brooding, deep sound to it, and again the record is transitioning. From there, the album moves to “The Song Of Everything” parts one and two, and that’s really an appropriate name for this whole album. There’s a wide range of sounds put together to make this release, and that eclectic sound is on constant display. The last track on the album, “Easy Eyes” was a single for the band, and still works as the last song on the release. While it doesn’t have the same energy as the first part of the record, it works as a last song that leaves you wanting more from the band.

Everything on “Set Your Life on Fire” fits together like a jigsaw puzzle. From the high energy beginning to the more reserved sound in the back half, Tapebenders prove that they have a very diverse, yet somehow unified feel, that just works as a whole package.