Fiction Reform

Fiction Reform formed in the early 2000s with Ethan Cruz as their frontman. Their debut album '180 Avant Garde' gave the band its name and established their approach, which mixed rock with elements that felt borrowed from classical and electronic music. The song '180 Avant Garde' itself had melodic hooks set against dissonant harmonies, a combination that became something of a calling card.

Their work often drew polarized reactions. Some critics appreciated the band's experimental spirit, while others found it inaccessible or pretentious. Fiction Reform seemed aware of this divide, titles like 'Exile in the Mainstream' and 'Cancerous Gold' suggested a wry commentary on commercial expectations. They kept releasing albums like 'The Machine of Night' and 'Nocturne Noir' without noticeably smoothing out their edges.

The lineup shifted over time, with players like Anya Petrova on bass and Emily Rose on keyboards coming through. But Cruz remained the constant, steering the group through songs that examined alienation and modern unease. Tracks such as 'Mr. Eva Braun' and 'Drugs In The Kitchen' carried that thematic weight without offering easy resolutions.