When the members of hardcore band Strongarm decided to form a new band, they called on Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba to provide the vocals and lyrics. And the result is far from hardcore: an emo based sound with shades of post-punk thrown in for good measure. While FSF is a little late in coming to the emo game, and their sound at times is a bit formulaic, they are at their best when they stay close to that same emo formula. Carrabba's vocals are reminiscent of some of the genre's top names, but not too close to be accused of ripping them off. There are a few songs that veer a bit too close to the post-punk malaise of some of their labelmates, but all in all this is a pretty darn good disc. Lyrically, the songs revolve heavily around the issues of relationships, and in particular, the struggle of maintaining long-distance relationships (hence the band's name).
The unfortunate thing for this band, is that Carrabba has departed before the disc is even released, on what both sides say was a "mutual decision." So Carrabba continues with Dashboard Confessional while the rest of the band is left auditioning new lead singers. Hopefully they can find someone with the same vocal intensity that is heard on the disc.
Oh...and listen close at the end of the hidden track for a killer Bob Ross impersonation. God bless creativity!
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #89Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisImagine you're in a band and you just recorded an amazing label debut album with powerful guitar licks and emotionally driven vocals. You have a sense of achievement and accomplishment in the fact that you've just spent months of your life pouring your heart and soul into an action packed project. Now imagine being the lead singer of that group and then ending your time with the band before that…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by David O.I don't like "emo." I've never really known what it is exactly, but I tend to associate the term with bands that blend complex yet bland guitar parts with uninteresting scratchy vocals and dynamics that constantly shift from quiet (sad) to loud (still sad, but louder). Emo pioneers Sunny Day Real Estate have always stood above other emo bands because of the pop sensibility that subtly underlies…Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Brett MiottiIf you're like me you've been anxious for this release since practically day one of the announcement that four of the members from the legendary Strongarm were going to be making music together again. The album cover theme of airports and jet planes seems to be appropriate for this release, seeing as how Further Seems Forever fans have been waiting for this puppy to arrive for quite some time.…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Bert GanglThe history of Further Seems Forever is inextricably tied to that of the Miami-based punk band Strongarm, from which the bulk of its members came. Fusing together the hardcore punk of Husker Du and the thrash metal of Sepultura for their sound, Strongarm released only two full albums for Tooth & Nail Records, 1996's Atonement and 1997's Advent of a Miracle, before packing it in. But, several…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Matt RiddleOne album down, one lead singer gone. Further Seems Forever has already had a tumultuous year and their album has only been out a few months. Their lead singer, Chris Carrabba, parted on good terms. The band has meanwhile replaced him with interim singer Jason Gleason. This has the possibility to change the scope of the band entirely. Gleason may be very talented, but one of the first aspects of…Opus 2001Reviewed by Jason MoreheadIf there's one genre that seems to be singled out for an unfair amount of maligning, it's emo. For many, there's something about the image of skinny white guys in tight shirts and horn-rimmed glasses screaming awkward lyrics about pain and betrayal that, well, just sets something off. And for those people, The Moon Is Down is ripe for the picking. After all, it's incredibly earnest, with those…Similar sounding releases
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