Fang Island like to describe their sound as “everyone high-fiving everyone.” After a long week of damp and dismal days here in Burlington, we could all use a double high-five to the ear drums.

This group’s second release, Sky Gardens EP, delivers an epic pump-up soundtrack like none other. The effortlessly complex string arrangements and organized group vocals give the EP an adventurous and uplifting sound.  Sky Gardens isn’t just a high-five, it’s a high five from the king of a magical land after saving his daughter from certain peril at the hands of an evil sorcerer. Not only that, but you were probably transported to this world after doing a kindly favor for some bum on the street that turned out to be a wizard in disguise. He gives you some crumby VHS tape and tells you watching it will change your life. When you get home from school, you pop the tape in out of curiosity and suddenly you’ve got a badass sword in your hand and you aren’t in Kansas anymore. I am certain the adventure will continue with the release of their self-titled album this August.

I had the opportunity to see these guys play last winter at 242 Main. I was pleasantly surprised when the band stayed rather motionless, and projected scenes of cartoon wizards shooting fireballs at each other on a sheet in the background. Although the turn out was small due to snow, Fang Island gave an intensely energetic and tight set. I just can’t help but get stoked on this band.

Plus, they make Kindergartener’s go CRAZY.