Being an avid "downloader" of music through the use of the internet, rarely do I find a reason or a compelling need to "buy" a full album from an artist. After listening to "best-worse case scenario" after an internet download, I just had to go out and buy this masterpiece. Instead of just fulfilling what im "in the mood" for, this music speaks to me on a different level, it hits that spot that very few other types of music have before. I like all types of music, punk, many types of metal, straight up rock or even techno and some pop; So
after reading the reviews here at amazon I thought I would give Fair a try. It was completely beyond what I had expected, It captivated me, literally for the entire length of the album, I think I started track 1 entering into a parking lot at a walmart and did not get out of my car until I had herd the entire album all the way through. If you like music at all in the most general and broad sense possible, I recommend this album. You will not be disappointed.

I have been buying music for 40 years...this quite simply is one of the best records I have ever heard and makes my desert island list shoving other classics down the ladder. The music is tight....the lyrics are thoughtful and provoking beyond measure...the mix is outstanding...transistions and breaks give me goose bumps...all the talk about Aaron Sprinkle...ok, I get it now. So overwhelmed was I by this disc that I began moving backwards...searching for other Sprinkle work that I missed because of the speed of life....he is gifted..he is blessed....and for a few dollars we have the priviledge of owning aural art. I dont do reviews....but felt compelled...there are few CD's I own which are so good that I simply have to listen to them over and over...reluctant to remove them from the player, expectant that I will hear something I missed the last time....I call these discs "loopers"....let em loop. "Fair" is outstanding. If it hits you like it hit me...move backwards and get "Lackluster" by Aaron Sprinkle. Seek truth.

obscuro the prominent

I've found it very easy to compare Fair's "The Best Worst-Case Scenario" to the album "Ephemere" by Sprinkle's previous band "Rose Blossom Punch". Both of them have significant strengths which make them standout from a lot of Christian/post-Christian music releases. Namely Aaron Sprinkle's outstanding voice and songwriting.

When it was released in 1997's Ephemere sounded a bit too rough around the edges, and thankfully Sprinkle and band have improved their sounds on Best Worst-Case Scenario, the production on a whole sound better on this album.

With all the improvements I think it would be even-handed to note that more than anything this band needs a 3rd party producer to come in. I have loved all of Aaron Sprinkle's solo material which is one of the reasons why the songs on this album are so good. Make no mistake - this is quality songwriting - hence 4 stars! But one cannot help but feel that there are times when Best Worst-Case Scenario feels like little more than an amped up solo record.

Most solo projects from artists accustomed to being in bands seem to posses the unrushed feel that comes from someone making music at their own pace and on their own terms. It doesn't have the ebb, flow and fight that you come to expect from a working band recording their first record. In this regard Best Worst-Case Scenario seems to feel too laid back. There's very little grit or urgency in the songs, which makes it easy to wonder if these songs weren't all written and tracked by Sprinkle who then brought in a few buddies to fill in one or two of the gaps. There are no "Grit" or "Urgency" pro-tool plugins (although I'm sure someone's working on it as we speak). To capture that sort of energy you have to do it the old fashioned way - playing and writing together as a band. Is that what happened in this case? Who knows?

Hopefully working with a producer might help Fair's next album move sonically beyond something that could easily be mistaken for another solo project by Sprinkle. Obviously you cannot judge the quality of an album by asking whether or not the band formed in studio or out. But in this case it's a fair question.

This is the most recent project from musician/producer Aaron Sprinkle, who along with starting a career as a solo artist has gone into the studio with Pedro the Lion, Emery and Damien Jurado (another emo fan favorite). What resulted is a twelve track collection of very well produced, mellow pop songs for the fans of indie pop rock, rather the indie screamo-rock.

Vocalist Sprinkle has a vocal quality similar to Matthew Sweet with the slightly nasal quality and sentimental lyrics. The album is strong in the areas of song writing (perfectly structured songs) and production. you can easily hum to his pop songs, especially on tunes like "Unglued" and "Bide My Crime". Like Keane and Coldplay, Fair rides a fine line between adult contemporary pop and alternative/indie rock. However, they do it very, very well. This is a great record and it is oh so smooooth.

This album is simply amazing. The sound is outstanding and solid. The vocals rock and every song is great. It is a really great find. It is my favorite album right now. I listen to it over and over.