Despite suffering lineup changes, emo fivesome Further Seems Forever hits a strong note with “How to Start a Fire,” the band’s second LP.

Jason Gleason replaced Chris Carrabba, of Dashboard Confessional fame, as the vocalist, and Derick Cordoba replaced Nick Dominguez as one of the g-uitarists.

The band seems none the worse for the changes. In fact, this independent-label release is stronger than the band’s first album, “The Moon is Down.” Gleason croons and wails with passion. Some powerful guitar riffs surface, and the instrumentation is good, if not always spectacular.

The band has matured with Gleason. The requisite songs of loneliness, rejection and relationship pain are present, but evocative and complex lyrics weave in and out of simple melodies (You’d trade our starving eyes for a tar and feathered heart/ a 25 cent execution to hear your anthem/ praises played on frequency decayed).

The slower songs almost invariably are the better ones. “A Blank Page Empire” begins slowly with almost jazzy vocals and quiet guitars. This is perhaps the best song on the album. Another highlight comes with “I Am,” a slow anthem whose chorus provides a great sing-along opportunity (I am the water/ I am waves crashing on to you/ I am the blank wave/ I am the madness). Some of the faster songs blur together and can be left by the wayside, but none are duds.

One small complaint: The band could have focused more on the harmonies. The few harmonies were too faint and short for any real effect.

The entire album is only 10 short songs, but perhaps it is better for an album to be too short than too long. That way, the listener is left longing for more.

Although it may not burn up the MTV or radio charts, “How to Start a Fire” is an excellent collection of smoldering, emotional songs with definite replay value.