As the follow-up to last year’s Tales Don’t Tell Themselves, this is the first album to be released from the boys’ own label Join Us Records and will hit our shelves exactly five years to the day that they released their debut record Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation.
This album sees them return to the original sound they adopted on that first record: but even bigger, and far, far better. Fair enough Matt Davies’ vocals can never really change, but this time they are more addictive than ever before.
This offering sees them combine all the great things they have learnt over the past five years to produce what is arguably their best album yet; marrying their stadium-rock presence with perfectly timed screaming vocals and more-ish melodies whilst still retaining their unique character.
The opener, Rules And Games builds up into an explosive introduction which basically screams ‘we’re back and batter than ever.’ The song proudly houses all the sounds we have grown to know and love from FFAF and you know it’s going to be yet another great record from the outset.
The forthcoming track from the album, Kicking And Screaming isn’t really the best song on the album, but still houses that trademark sound, with back breaking guitars and a great mid-section which drops low before building up into a energetic finale. However, from the second track of the album, I really would expect more and would have much rather it be Maybe I am? which, in my opinion is the best song on the record.
The song could fill dance floors from the first chord to the very last. The guitar riffs and epic chorus makes this song an instant winner which I can see being the perfect aid when I’m getting ready for a night out or cruising down the motorway (just a tiny bit over the speed limit)
We have a song here which makes you feel like you are capable of anything in the world, it makes all the troubles disappear and is bound to be a massive hit with anyone with a decent taste in music.
When it comes to Building, we see a much more mellow sound from the guys, which is nonetheless as successful as their faster-paced tracks, partially because Matt’s vocals melt so well into the guitar he is paired with on the track.
It is a song which makes you reflect and, without wanting to be too cliché, you can see it being a great tear-jerker from all the emo kids who are so unhappy with life and everything in it.
Someday The Fire looks set to be a great summer anthem as the whole band comes together to pull off a great track; with special credit (gold star) to Kris Coombs-Roberts and Darran Smith for delivering some funky guitar riffs that have me reaching for the flip flops and sum hat even though it is mid-September!
Their hit Waterfront Dance Club has really set the pace for what to expect from this album. The song itself has already established itself as a staple in the collection of any good ‘alternative club night’ DJ so if you like this, then you will definitely love the album. The intro really shows off Gareth Davies (Bass) and Ryan Richards’ (drums) superb talents before yet another expert guitar riff slams right into your chest with the chorus.
The final few tracks, Charlie Don’t Surf and Constant Resurrections are far more mellow than the rest of the album, and act as a suitable ‘comedown’ to the enthusiasm of the album.
Whilst Charlie Don’t Surf does sound a little bit too singer/songwriter-esqe for my taste, there is no doubt that it is still a beautiful track which was put together with lots of love… which is probably why it makes you want to grab a guy with floppy hair and tight jeans to snuggle up with on a bed of daises!
The final track, Constant Ressurections is really disappointing; not because of the actual song, but because it leads to a slow and uninspiring conclusion rather than a smashing, dirty finale that I would have so liked to have seen.
This almost electro-sounding final minute of this track doesn’t really do that much for them in comparison to the rest of the songs on the record and quietly shuts the door on the disk rather than slamming it closed with all their might!
In all, this is an album that literally walks up to you and slaps you in the face with some immense music (well not literally or we’ll all be in a great deal of trouble!) in fact, I’d go as far as to say that Memory and Humanity is like a drug: and I’m addicted.
Rating: 5/5 Despite having some tiny pitfalls, this is one of the best albums I have heard in 2008.
Skip To: Maybe I am? - What History was to Hours… This is the song of Memory and Humanity.
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison