Kbm600
07/14/09, 04:17 PM
Falling Closer - The Sweet Release
Record Label: None
Release Date: May 30, 2009
I'm going to go ahead and admit that I was not the biggest fan of Falling Closer's last piece of work. It was filled with barely decent lyrics and I never finding any true original value within it. I was left pretty confident I had heard all that Falling Closer had to offer me. However, upon listening to The Sweet Release, I realize now I'll choke down that assumption and judge fairly, as Falling Closer have returned with more to offer this time around, albeit with a few missteps along the way.
The biggest difference that's most noticeable upon first listen to opening track "Snake In The Grass" is the almost Southern metal feel that rips through you as vocalist Chris Huaraque really drives the song with surprising force as guitarist Jon Johnson truly delves into hard hitting riffs to ensure that your first impression leaves you bowled over.
Perhaps even more noticeable than their more metal feel is the shocking appearance of Jonny Craig on the second song, "The Bridge." Being a fan of most of everything that Craig has contributed to, it's strange to note that this song sounds completely off, thanks to his unneeded wail along side Huaraque's much more solid voice. There are moments that have Huaraque seemingly trying to reach Craig's pitch to mirror him and it just never quite works.
The title track features some of the screaming that I deemed quite unnecessary with their last release. Thankfully, it's dulled down to a point where it's almost unnoticeable and doesn't drag down the quality at all. "Fight the Monster" brings back memories of listening to Finch's What it is to Burn while "Sampson Has The Power" is easy alternative-rock radio material with its accessible chorus but surging power underneath.
By the time "I'll Be the Last One" tumbles through your speakers, it's fairly easy to state that the power Falling Closer displayed in the first couple of tracks has completely diminished. Reverting back to their alt-rock form with some sparse, grating screams thrown in for a little more diversity, it's disappointing they didn't shoot for more than the simple but catchy hooks of "Boot Of The Ninja" that ends up becoming very forgettable, except for some of the few louder parts of the song.
Overall this album gives off a big love-and-hate feel to it. It's easy to enjoy the intensity that radiates from the first half of The Sweet Release, but even easier to realize how shallow and indiscernible the tracks become as the album wears down on you. Huaraque's vocals are actually quite pleasant and fit excellently with Johnson's hard-working riffs and sharp guitar solos (Take a look at "Snake In The Grass" and the title track for examples), It's unfortunate, then, that they are drowned out by the mainstream rock sound that crowds the majority of this release.
If you're a fan of this band's previous work then nothing about this release will disappoint you, but if you've just stumbled upon this hoping to find something captivating in a genre done far too many times before, Falling Closer will disappoint you with their return to form (or mold?), and once again I find myself leaving a piece of their work hoping they can finally realize their potential.
Random Jonny Craig guest spots, Dead Poetic's Vices, Chasing Victory's Fiends
myspace.com/fallingcloser (http://www.myspace.com/fallingcloser)
Record Label: None
Release Date: May 30, 2009
I'm going to go ahead and admit that I was not the biggest fan of Falling Closer's last piece of work. It was filled with barely decent lyrics and I never finding any true original value within it. I was left pretty confident I had heard all that Falling Closer had to offer me. However, upon listening to The Sweet Release, I realize now I'll choke down that assumption and judge fairly, as Falling Closer have returned with more to offer this time around, albeit with a few missteps along the way.
The biggest difference that's most noticeable upon first listen to opening track "Snake In The Grass" is the almost Southern metal feel that rips through you as vocalist Chris Huaraque really drives the song with surprising force as guitarist Jon Johnson truly delves into hard hitting riffs to ensure that your first impression leaves you bowled over.
Perhaps even more noticeable than their more metal feel is the shocking appearance of Jonny Craig on the second song, "The Bridge." Being a fan of most of everything that Craig has contributed to, it's strange to note that this song sounds completely off, thanks to his unneeded wail along side Huaraque's much more solid voice. There are moments that have Huaraque seemingly trying to reach Craig's pitch to mirror him and it just never quite works.
The title track features some of the screaming that I deemed quite unnecessary with their last release. Thankfully, it's dulled down to a point where it's almost unnoticeable and doesn't drag down the quality at all. "Fight the Monster" brings back memories of listening to Finch's What it is to Burn while "Sampson Has The Power" is easy alternative-rock radio material with its accessible chorus but surging power underneath.
By the time "I'll Be the Last One" tumbles through your speakers, it's fairly easy to state that the power Falling Closer displayed in the first couple of tracks has completely diminished. Reverting back to their alt-rock form with some sparse, grating screams thrown in for a little more diversity, it's disappointing they didn't shoot for more than the simple but catchy hooks of "Boot Of The Ninja" that ends up becoming very forgettable, except for some of the few louder parts of the song.
Overall this album gives off a big love-and-hate feel to it. It's easy to enjoy the intensity that radiates from the first half of The Sweet Release, but even easier to realize how shallow and indiscernible the tracks become as the album wears down on you. Huaraque's vocals are actually quite pleasant and fit excellently with Johnson's hard-working riffs and sharp guitar solos (Take a look at "Snake In The Grass" and the title track for examples), It's unfortunate, then, that they are drowned out by the mainstream rock sound that crowds the majority of this release.
If you're a fan of this band's previous work then nothing about this release will disappoint you, but if you've just stumbled upon this hoping to find something captivating in a genre done far too many times before, Falling Closer will disappoint you with their return to form (or mold?), and once again I find myself leaving a piece of their work hoping they can finally realize their potential.
Random Jonny Craig guest spots, Dead Poetic's Vices, Chasing Victory's Fiends
myspace.com/fallingcloser (http://www.myspace.com/fallingcloser)