Farewell Continental – iHey, Hey Pioneers!
Record Label: Paper+Plastick Records
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Farewell Continental is a band about as odd as they come. Although, one must realize that is the point of the group, clearly. It’s only been about half a year since their release of EP #2, yet their growth is wholly evident throughout iHey, Hey Pioneers!, as both the vocals of Richard Kimble (Justin Pierre) and Allie Fox have clearly found an even better chemistry together. And as expected, the humor is still here, evident within“Immolated.”
It’s clear that the two vocalists work bests when playing off one another, most notably on the memorable “Capybara” and the softer “New Tile Floor.” However, at times, it can be hard to take any part of Farewell Continental seriously, due to everything from the album artwork to the downright hilarious lyrical content. Still, as a band meant to have fun, at least Farewell Continental are incredibly talented and enjoyable to listen to. Kimble shines throughout the opening “Seasoned Veterans” as all ears are on him throughout the track.
The main separating of this record that is diverse from their previous EPs is the structure and pace, as select tracks throughout iHey, Hey Pioneers! are much more punk-oriented. The blistering “Who’s The Boss?” tops this category, clocking in at just under two minutes, as well as the fast-paced “Mad Operator.” Some tracks (“Radio, Radio: Are You Getting This?”) are poppy, on the other hand, and those are sure to be a Motion City Soundtrack fan’s favorite tracks.
While those parts shine, a myriad of tracks on this record are just odd and confusing. The spacey, fuzzy “Dagger, Dagger: Terror, Terror” displays an unusual vocal arrangement and style, leaving an uncanny sound in the listener’s ears, while the following “The Greatest Of All Time” could be the strangest vocal performance of Farewell Continental yet, period. Again being another misfire, the grungy “The Explorer Settles Down” is an angry track, featuring anomalous guitar tones and deafening techniques in the final minute.
However, the “weird” tracks do work at times, as “I Feel Everything” is one of the most memorable moments on the record, displaying ideal harmony between Fox and Kimble through and through. The harmony continues on “The Reflecting Skin,” a track that would have been an ideal number to close on. Yet, the actual closer, “Tigers Claw” begins with Kimble’s peculiar speaking vocals, diminishing the quality of the two previous tracks. The closer does save itself – and iHey, Hey Pioneers! as a whole – as it comes to an end, as Kimble sings “no one has to wash your dreams away.” Thus, the end of the record is thankfully well-played.
All in all, iHey, Hey Pioneers! is abnormal and lacking any true structure or form to it. Farewell Continental toy with different styles throughout the record, leaving the listener slightly confused, although wholly immersed in the project, as it is clearly amusing and entertaining. The high points soar (“Radio, Radio: Are You Getting This?”), while other pieces are just too strange (“The Greatest Of All Time”). There’s no denying Farewell Continental are diverse, fun, and creative, which is, in the end, all that they wish to be. Mission accomplished.
Yeah, and it was from the P+P Publicist too. And the weirdest part was that he checked it, and it had all 14 tracks. yet when I redownloaded it, it was only 10.
Oh well, It'll be fixed tomorrow and I'll get that done.
Enjoying this though, sounds like MCS with a female vocalist if they stayed with a similar sound from IATM. Do you hear that at all?
Yeah, and it was from the P+P Publicist too. And the weirdest part was that he checked it, and it had all 14 tracks. yet when I redownloaded it, it was only 10.
Oh well, It'll be fixed tomorrow and I'll get that done.
Enjoying this though, sounds like MCS with a female vocalist if they stayed with a similar sound from IATM. Do you hear that at all?
Gotcha.
Hm yeah I can see that. Although there are a few tracks I really dislike the vocals on on this record.
I like this album lot better than My Dinosaur Life. Justin's vocals play so well with others (Allie, Patrick Stump..etc.) . It feels like this music just came out very naturally. Everyone knows Justin makes quirky music, so this just feels right. It's exciting to know both of his bands could have albums out this year.
If anyone listened to this album and expected anything other than odd, lo-fi, humor, and a more punkish sound, then they clearly did not understand the purpose of this band.
Really enjoying this. Listened to the stream and was going to make notes which tracks to buy, but after track five I realized I was going to like this whole record.
Really want to blast this in my car but that artwork is so ugly I can't bring myself to get a physical copy.
Really enjoying this. Listened to the stream and was going to make notes which tracks to buy, but after track five I realized I was going to like this whole record.
Really want to blast this in my car but that artwork is so ugly I can't bring myself to get a physical copy.
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