On their first full-length,
That's What Love Songs Often Do,
Fig Dish deliver solid alternative pop with a big guitar sound. Similar to other Chicago-based alternative bands of the mid-'90s, they follow a pretty basic formula of simple hooks played aggressively with laid-back vocals, which singer/guitarist Blake Smith detachedly delivers with a nasal sneer. The album has a couple highlights. "Seeds" and "Rollover, Please" are energetic guitar tunes that border on punk-pop, while "Quiet Storm King" is a little more radio-friendly with its melodic guitar and male/female vocal pairing. However, the album tends to drag, and many of the songs seem to blend into each other. It's a decent effort but ultimately forgettable. ~ Tracy Frey