This new CD of twelve songs by From the Fall is an excellent blend of many old and new
styles together. The strongest influence I hear thoughout the CD is Black Sabbath. Even the
vocals are in the same strong but limited range of Ozzy Osbourne. There are also very clear
and strong overtones of Alice in Chains, with all the same harmony styles and such. This
offers a bit more in-depth look at this side of From the Fall.
The first song, Armed and Hammered, allows a great look at the entire CD, it has most of
the feel that the CD covers. Although it does make the CD a bit redundant, and some of the
songs have the same feel as others, if you like this style you get a lot of it here. Songs
that have dark edges, and make you feel like your being watched from behind. There are also
a few up-tempo and almost happy songs as well to even out the emotional ride this CD
offers.
This is a self-produced recording and has overall good quality, and sense of congruence
that comes from having a band record and produce themselves. I sometimes think bands should
have an outside ear to keep things honest, but they have done well in this effort. The
overall sound is good, and even, and they managed to keep the drums well in the mix, that
seems to be what gets lost first in some self-made recordings. So on the quality of sound I
give this recording a 6 or so on a 1 to 10 scale.
Lyrically the song has a variety of intentions and is not simply all about how bad life
has dealt them the cards. So many of today's CDs seem to have that as a main theme, but
this one has a broad scope of subjects to explore. I see the lyrical content as well-said,
and mature in its thought. There is nothing here that will bring you to any great new
insights on life but a lot of good subject matter.
The guitar work on this CD is excellent and is not overdone like in some bands that
still solo, and have guitarists of quality. The distant wah-wah solos are very well placed
and don't dominate the songs or make you want to turn down your stereo. With a rhythm and
rhythm/lead guitarist the songs don't get weak or hollow when the soloist is performing.
The last song, Róisín is an instrumental and is very nicely done, I could
listen to that one all day long.
Overall I would say that the recording is very good, the musicianship is good but a bit
redundant and the vocals are clear clean, but again like the music itself a bit too
consistently the same for my tastes. But if you love to walk through the past, and hear
most of the best parts of some great trends over the past twenty years, this is a great CD
for you. They did manage to use the best parts of the bands that influenced them.
Bottom line: I would buy it, but I wouldn't wait in line for it. Just one gal's
opinion.