The Band

Welcome back to another Wrock Wreview! This week, I’m reviewing an EP called Floo Fighters by Neville’s Diary. This EP has 6 songs and was released on October 18, 2020. Neville’s Diary hails from Indiana, and this EP is their first record in nine years. It is also the first to feature their live band as part of the recordings. Let’s dive right in!

The Tracks

Each track (with one exception) begins with a date and the year Neville is at Hogwarts, which makes the experience all the more immersive!

In a classic rock band style, Neville’s Diary opens this EP with a song called Dragon Wrench. Neville sings about what it will take to fight back against Draco Malfoy. I very much felt that Neville really does belong in Gryffindor while listening to this song.

I Walk Up To is a song from Neville to the Room of Requirement. From using it for a bathroom to Dumbledore’s Army practice to hiding from Malfoy, the Room of Requirement has never let Neville down. This song still has a rock band sound, but this time it is a little more mellow. I really appreciated the instrumental parts in this one.

“I’ll learn to fly if it kills me” is one of the opening lines in the next song, Learn to Fly (on a Broomstick). Although the lyrics start out fearful and disappointed, eventually Neville learns and conquers one of his biggest fears – riding a broomstick. I enjoy that this song is upbeat even though a lot of the message is a little scary, reminding me strongly of This Year by The Mountain Goats.

Funny enough, Neville’s Diary’s next song on this EP is entitled This Year. I love the harmonies in this one. It has a very hopeful vibe, which I appreciate. The instrumental switch-up in this song was an unexpected but welcome change with a surprise accordion!

Next up is the longest song on the EP, coming in at just over five minutes. The first minute and a half of the piece is instrumental only, and I loved that. Neville’s My Hero is all about singing the praises of the band’s namesake. Throughout his story, we watched Neville grow, learn, and stand up to bullying. This song really encapsulates how awesome he has become.

Lovegood ends the EP, with Neville singing about how he looks up to Luna. My heartstrings were pulled during this song by a combination of the chords they used as well as the lyrics. We might know how awesome Neville is, but sometimes when he can’t see it himself, it’s heartbreaking.

In Summary

Floo Fighters is available for $5 on Bandcamp. If you weren’t already a Neville fan, you very likely will be after you listen to this album! From the instrumentals to the vocals to the lyrics, this EP has such a good quality of sound and message. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. I rate this album one Remembrall out of A Tree!

In addition to the links above, you can find Neville’s Diary on Facebook!