fun. Aim and Ignite 2LP (Blue Jay Vinyl)

Aim and Ignite is the 2009 debut studio album by Grammy Award-winning alternative rock/pop band fun., comprised of Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff and Andrew Dost. The album features "All the Pretty Girls," "Be Calm" and "The Gambler." The 2023 repress on Blue Jay color wax includes five bonus tracks on vinyl for the first time.

Full string sections provide Beatlesque swells of sound, churchy harmonies hint at African American Gospel music and the swooning vocals of Queen, and, yes, the rhythm section does have some of the pop bombast of ELO, but the diverse elements all come together neatly in service of the song. The arrangements break down rigid song structures with an open-ended and open-minded creativity that ranges far and wide over the musical spectrum. This music needs to be listened to as an album, in one sitting, so you can appreciate the way the musical and lyrical ideas flow together and play off of each other. That said, there are moments of genius that grab you even on your first casual listen.