 | fun. Aim and Ignite
3.9
excellent
| Ranking: #170 for 2009 | |
| |
| | Full Review | Ratings (1025) |
Give your Rating |
| 4.5 superb | mx STAFF | August 26th 09 |
If you don't like it, listen to it again. Alternately, place 'Barlights' on repeat and dance around your house like a maniac.
14 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | PuddlesPuddles | November 30th 09 |
Aim and Ignite's concept is what deserves a 5/5. They're pop overkill and they're
sickeningly addicting. For their certainly promising debut, fun. aim for a monumental sing
along pleasure, and yes it's a guilty one.
There are some truly excellent tracks including the optimistic and dynamic opener, "Be Calm"
or the 'alright, it's cute - you got me' track, "At Least I'm Not as Sad as I Used to Be",
but if you aren't overdosed with the pure personality and charisma like these couple of
tracks ("Barlights" also counts as a standout), you may find yourself bored and
underwhelmed. fun. lures you into craving the pansiest hooks, the most innocent feelings with
every track - but doesn't live up to that fantasy for more than half the time.
Too many tracks fall into the 'almost there' headcount which turns Aim and Ignite
into an overall attractive buffet table that you only find yourself repeatedly going back
for the sesame chicken and shrimp.
Should the band focus more on a consistent delivery for each of their penetrating sing
alongs and give each of them a more rounded entity, we may have a classic from these guys.
Just don't tell your father you listen to this.
6 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | Electric City | August 19th 09 |
It's pretty obvious that I think this is the worst thing ever and no one should listen to it 3.5/5
6 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | OlDirtyPaule | August 19th 09 |
Quite good pop. Nothing less, but also nothing more. Way too pretentious and in my eyes heavenly overrated. 3.0 stars.
5 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | TRMshadow | August 30th 10 |
When I first started sputnik, I had a closed mind when it came to music. I listened to metalcore and that was it. Thanks to the wonderful people of this site, I was directed to an album that would help open my mind, expand my horizons, and make me a much better person overall; this is that album. Each song is unique and beautiful thanks to Nate Ruess' (as well as the rest of fun.'s) brilliance when combining harmony and accessibility with tenacity and energy. Not many times in your life do find such a great album that you can still find new things to love even after 50+ listens; I am just happy that I found one. 4.1/5
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Knott- EMERITUS | February 9th 10 |
Joyous abandon. Tangible emotion. Astounding melodies. One of the best pop albums ever.
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | BroFro | February 24th 12 |
This is what pop music should sound like. Plain and simple.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.5 average | Enotron | December 2nd 09 |
I believe in the sincerity of this record. Its really a nice attempt at doing "good" pop music. But unfortunately, the vocals are too flamboyant for my liking and the tunes are too cheese-filled to be taken seriously. Makes Weezer seem like Sigur Ros.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Fugue | November 2nd 09 |
In Aim And Ignite Nate Ruess and company have created the fun.nest album of 2009. From the unobtrusive organ/violin combination in the opening of Be Calm to the grandoise distorted electric guitar in the closing of Take Your Time there is never a let up in consistency and it is this consistency that is Aim And Ignite's true strength. Quite simply an excellent album and the best pop of 2009.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | TheDMV | October 26th 09 |
The band name perfectly describes the sound of this album. Everytime I listen to this it gets better. The length is perfect, and no song is out of place. Quite possibly the best album of 2009.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | Monheim | January 28th 17 |
Musical theater for indie nerds
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.0 good | FromDaHood | September 21st 11 |
If Nate Ruess propositioned me for sex I might say yes... and this is still only a 3/5
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.0 good | Aids | November 20th 10 |
I've liked this less and less from the first listen until now. I had it as a 4 at first. After several listens, I can still say it's a good album but that's about as far as I'd go.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | gregariouslyme | April 19th 10 |
This is the most FUN I've had listening to a band, pun intended.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | nabrazune | February 25th 10 |
A supremely fun pop experience. Also, just as a heads-up, fans of Mika will find a lot to enjoy here.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Wildcatforever | November 14th 09 |
I am convinced that "Aim and Ignite" is the album the Beach Boys and Queen always dreamed of making. Very theatrical, yet never forced, "Aim and Ignite" turns out to be one of the best albums of 2009. Even though their are obvious influences from 60's and 70's rock and opera, it is also combined with electronic influences which makes this album special. The songs are also extraordinarily catchy and are some of the most complete songs of the year. Fun. started out as just a side project, but with "Aim and Ignite" they might have released one of the more creative and innovative albums of 2009
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | LiveForMusic | August 11th 09 |
Creative, catchy, and over the top. Manages to take emotional music in a different direction: It's SO damn happy.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Risodo | February 16th 18 |
Fun, dynamic and totally positive. "Aim and Ignite" is one of the best things that happened in my day. To close that night, listening to a sweet and contagious sound like this is always a good request. One of the best mixes of Pop with Indie Rock i ever heard. It'll certainly become a future classic of the genre.
Bump |
| 0.0 | Nolan D. | July 22nd 13 |
This is my favorite album of all time. Its funny because I didnt like the album on my first listen but it keeps on growing on you until it doesnt get out of your head and you just dont really mind.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Tiberone | May 16th 13 |
After leaving this as a 4.5 for over three years, I am finally ready to take the plunge. It's just that good.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | gooseran | December 10th 12 |
What this album sounds like: 40 minutes of Nate singing, cheerfully unrestrained by the confines of a four piece rock band, exploring and finishing ideas he experimented with on Dog Problems
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Supertails | August 13th 12 |
Everything about this is well-crafted. I love that fun. knows how to keep something catchy and enjoyable while still making sure it's complex and that there's a lot more to it than most music. 'Be Calm' is probably the best example, managing to be both really downtempo and simple but also bombastic and complex in the space of a few minutes.rI would say fun. is at their best when their epic bombast shows, but The Gambler just very well may be one of the best tracks on the album. That's little more than Nate Ruess singing a catchy track with a piano in the background gliding him along.rAim & Ignite is an LP more than worth checking out. No two songs are the same, and it makes for one of the most well-produced records in a while.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | jimmy24795 | May 12th 12 |
A enjoyable album, filled with unbelievably catchy, carefree songs, highlighted by Nate Reuss' soaring voice.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Yay | May 12th 12 |
Sometimes I fill water balloons up with gravy. Don't let it become a habit.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | MtMoon | February 19th 12 |
Magnificent album that balances both the theatrical and the accessible wonderfully.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | qwer7yfreak | November 1st 10 |
"I can't help but remember James Dean. See, we are part of the few who agree that hey, he lived life fast, but he died. Me, I'm going to live forever!"
Bump |
| 0.0 | RosaParks | September 3rd 10 |
If you can't enjoy this, you ain't livin'
Bump |
| 0.0 | Steoandnoodles | September 3rd 10 |
Aim and Ignite is a pure, heart on the sleeve emotional pop album with layered instrumentation stocked full of sonic details to pluck out and enjoy for a great amount of listens. What you have is a pronounced, distinct front-man, buckets of instrumentation and a production so carefully focused on mixing that it seems automatic when your ear canals are brought in and out of different instrumental focuses and toned to the addition or subtraction of instruments and boy are there lots of instruments.
Bump |
| 0.0 | Gyromania | August 21st 10 |
fun.'s Aim and Ignite is hands down the hap-hap-happiest album of 2009, uncontested. There are horn sections, cheesy keyboard loops and uplifting lyrics. Nate Ruess showcases his vocal prowess with the rest of the team occasionally joining for group harmonies and croons. Trumpet, flugelhorn, glockenspiel, etc., you name it, and it's probably used here. =]
Bump |
| 3.0 good | CrazyFool84 | February 21st 10 |
Fun.’s debut outing is really just that: a fun listen, full of whimsical hooks and over-the-top pop melodies. Personally, this just wasn’t my cup of tea. It’s rare that I can see why so many would find such enjoyment from a disc I just cannot get into. I realize what this one has to offer, just fail to appreciate it I suppose. Not being a big fan of the indie/pop style, this may just have not been the right sound for me; I’d really recommend anyone checking this out, as it seems pretty easy for most to get into.
Bump |
| 0.0 | MrHotMoms | November 25th 09 |
I like it, its catchy and .. fun, but i feel like such a flamer for listening to it
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | hotsoap | January 24th 24 |
| 1.5 very poor | kodama | September 25th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | vechy | June 15th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | arealboy | September 12th 22 |
| 5.0 classic | Docky | October 13th 21 |
| 5.0 classic | Oobaloo | November 30th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | Fathm | September 6th 20 |
| 5.0 classic | Sowing STAFF | May 11th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Josh | September 13th 19 |
| 3.5 great | sepoll | August 25th 19 |
| 5.0 classic | Ben | July 10th 19 |
| 3.5 great | JNeu | July 3rd 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | djrm | March 20th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Mathias STAFF | December 8th 18 |
| 3.5 great | woxdy | November 19th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Flomink | October 14th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | ariich | October 4th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Marci | August 2nd 18 |
| 3.0 good | Greem | July 17th 18 |
| 3.0 good | Sarah | April 12th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | smgsmg9 | September 16th 17 |
| 3.0 good | furpa | August 4th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | A.R.O. STAFF | May 25th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | wg98 | May 13th 17 |
| 3.5 great | aiioli | March 25th 17 |
| 3.5 great | p4p | March 16th 17 |
| 2.5 average | El Olam | January 12th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Eswin17 | October 10th 16 |
| 1.0 awful | tadeoc | September 7th 16 |
| 5.0 classic | TVparty | August 13th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Illume | August 8th 16 |
| 3.5 great | tricky | April 22nd 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | AnarkyV | January 27th 16 |
| 5.0 classic | Keira | December 28th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | Tom R. CONTRIBUTOR | October 26th 15 |
| 3.5 great | qdgyu | June 11th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | mdrive | April 24th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Xhoven | April 2nd 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | jsaf7 | February 16th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | amf2222 | January 14th 15 |
| 3.0 good | Runeii | January 5th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | slaps | December 17th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Evenoss | September 11th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Xar | September 7th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pangea | September 4th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | raggs | August 9th 14 |
| 2.5 average | Ruga | June 22nd 14 |
| 5.0 classic | DoReMe | March 11th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Adam | March 4th 14 |
| 1.5 very poor | MKJK | February 20th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Wreck | December 23rd 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | imsopunk | December 20th 13 |
| 1.0 awful | Haiti | December 1st 13 |
| 3.5 great | dmp3131 | September 30th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Chunky97 | September 5th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | kelano | August 23rd 13 |
| 3.0 good | Gnome7 | August 22nd 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Ulshad | July 10th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Lyme | March 17th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | mh13 | March 13th 13 |
| 3.5 great | jmh886 | March 12th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | xJoshox | March 5th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | heybass | February 24th 13 |
| 3.5 great | heck | February 21st 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | thetree | February 17th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Zeiu | February 15th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | 1554699 | February 10th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | gp0942 | January 30th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Claub | January 25th 13 |
| 2.5 average | Veritus | January 21st 13 |
| 3.5 great | Lenix | December 31st 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Hoppip | December 25th 12 |
| 3.5 great | Shimana | December 20th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | keyokeyo | December 17th 12 |
| 1.5 very poor | foxxxy | December 10th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Yoshia | November 23rd 12 |
| 4.5 superb | hylyxx | November 19th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | CSmoker | November 17th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | PurpIe | October 23rd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | FuzDel | October 15th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | ton_ey | September 19th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Solisis | September 11th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | phcusf | September 4th 12 |
| 3.0 good | KUBT | August 29th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | junyi15 | August 28th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | ETfan | August 10th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jerbz | July 21st 12 |
| 4.5 superb | AU52 | July 21st 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | seifer | July 19th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | jorsh | July 7th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | Lucs99 | June 20th 12 |
| 3.5 great | cuki92 | June 15th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Dashy | May 29th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | vieky | May 19th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Othcar | April 5th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | sattyre | April 3rd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | ILJ | April 3rd 12 |
| 3.5 great | Matte | April 1st 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Jdawg | March 26th 12 |
| 3.5 great | Lakes. | March 17th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | BugZoid | March 6th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Dummit | March 6th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | mattkd | March 5th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | ndoby | March 4th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | jwyles4 | March 4th 12 |
| 3.5 great | Scoot | February 19th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | iBrad99 | February 17th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | paxman | February 16th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ignored | February 13th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Giles | February 13th 12 |
| 3.0 good | kojpl | January 27th 12 |
| 3.0 good | mttgry | January 18th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | cyalily | December 30th 11 |
| 3.5 great | Naps | December 28th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Mojito | December 14th 11 |
| 3.5 great | GGI | November 22nd 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rev | November 7th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Oafdog | October 3rd 11 |
| 3.5 great | mcglat | September 14th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | svgtech | September 6th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | whets2 | August 24th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | gliate | July 16th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Rowdy | June 11th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | CIRES | June 1st 11 |
| 5.0 classic | JFay82 | May 18th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Jdok | April 27th 11 |
| 3.0 good | pumi | April 20th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | PieRye | March 13th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Lorax | March 9th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Silas | February 25th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Mikel819 | February 11th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | MrRaawr | February 2nd 11 |
| 3.5 great | iGuter | February 2nd 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | AdamK | January 28th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | 37er00 | January 26th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | mallen- | January 15th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | astrel | December 16th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | wespo796 | December 14th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Dyst | December 11th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Janson | December 6th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Cinimin | November 17th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Roomex | November 13th 10 |
| 3.0 good | X3ni92 | November 11th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | a7c7e7 | October 27th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | HippieT | October 18th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | IN64 | September 30th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | JackMEB | September 23rd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Wolfe | September 23rd 10 |
| 3.0 good | DayMan | August 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sblang | August 17th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Veldin | August 7th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | pops978 | July 22nd 10 |
| 3.0 good | Isoas | July 1st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | mppwns | June 11th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | fheris | June 1st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kleur | May 18th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | JWT155 | April 26th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | goron72 | April 19th 10 |
| 2.5 average | gonzab | April 12th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Oceanus | April 12th 10 |
| 2.5 average | toyour | April 11th 10 |
| 3.0 good | pettri | March 30th 10 |
| 2.5 average | Zizzer | March 30th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Valle | March 29th 10 |
| 3.5 great | durkl | March 24th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Piglet | March 20th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | JGil | March 9th 10 |
| 3.5 great | natey | March 3rd 10 |
| 5.0 classic | torsten | February 26th 10 |
| 3.5 great | MrChuck | February 23rd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | CutMan | February 19th 10 |
| 3.0 good | Nach0 | February 15th 10 |
| 3.0 good | Smevin | February 10th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | DiceMan | February 7th 10 |
| 3.5 great | adkymo | January 31st 10 |
| 4.5 superb | fcmogul | January 30th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | vaquero | January 27th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | quik40 | January 26th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Donkey | January 14th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | bSoupy | January 10th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sejine | January 9th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | samd779 | January 6th 10 |
| 3.0 good | IRAI | December 28th 09 |
| 3.0 good | Zoo | December 20th 09 |
| 2.5 average | doqtor | December 16th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Allysou | December 1st 09 |
| 4.5 superb | ant4tbc | December 1st 09 |
| 3.0 good | Jips | November 30th 09 |
| 3.5 great | qwe3 | November 19th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | thebhoy | November 14th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | jrowa001 | November 13th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | AssBag | November 10th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | mallen | November 10th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | shade | November 8th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | Fapper | October 29th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | RevoniK | October 27th 09 |
| 3.5 great | TEM | October 18th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | cirq | October 18th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | megajon | October 15th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Ricven | October 15th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | DaveyBoy EMERITUS | October 13th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Kosko | October 6th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | MBS | September 29th 09 |
| 3.5 great | aris19 | September 25th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | Mumps33 | September 25th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | DoOrDie | September 24th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Lelle | September 23rd 09 |
| 4.5 superb | jc1587 | September 22nd 09 |
| 5.0 classic | fenny4 | September 21st 09 |
| 3.5 great | Thef | September 15th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | OllieS | September 13th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Thujon | September 12th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Rudy K. EMERITUS | September 10th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | d00derz | September 8th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Essence | September 7th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Dext3r | September 7th 09 |
| 3.0 good | Yotimi | September 4th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tyler EMERITUS | September 4th 09 |
| 3.5 great | blabony | September 1st 09 |
| 5.0 classic | chis08 | August 28th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | yettep | August 27th 09 |
| 4.6 superb | greg84 EMERITUS | August 21st 09 |
| 3.5 great | Mikesn EMERITUS | August 20th 09 |
| 2.0 poor | zack16 | August 20th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | timbo8 | August 20th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | GBJ | August 19th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | leoj90 | August 19th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Lions | August 18th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | BSX | August 17th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | sperry | August 17th 09 |
| 3.5 great | RedSky | August 16th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | barns | August 16th 09 |
| 3.5 great | lobby | August 15th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | Rntyznr | August 15th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Skyler | August 14th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | ziroth | August 13th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | jaarona | August 13th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | PABLO94 | August 13th 09 |
| 3.0 good | Kiran EMERITUS | August 13th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Bsmith7 | August 13th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Spence | August 10th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | armfarm | July 30th 09 |
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