Review Summary: they're back and that's a fact.
When attempting to write this review, I came across a stumbling block. My expectations for this album were so low that despite the album's competence, I imagined nonexistent cons. I expected this to be their worst release, considering the slippery slope they had been sliding down ever since their magnum opus, self-titled album. FACT have always played fairly uplifting pop-punk/post-hardcore, with soaring melodies boosted by the lead singer's clean, easily digestable vocals. Previous releases (
In the Blink of an Eye and
Eat Your Words), however, forgot this formula, instead utilizing blistering speed and ridiculous agression to fill in the gaps they clearly neglected. Athough their energy was commendable, without substance to back it, the band's efforts felt dry and lacking. This was all before
burundanga, however, which shows a band remembering who they actually are, therefore becoming the band's second strongest release. The moral of the story? Never lose hope.
Overall,
burundanga is a fun pop-punk/post-hardcore album, and FACT's most consistently solid effort. Their current formula is what has always been the underlying theme of their music, but this time more focused - supremely melodic, uplifting music. Many Lion King moments in the album exist, with epic choruses, shout along sections, etc., that FACT have lacked since their self-titled album. When the band's passion is channeled through glorious melodies, larger than life proclamations, their energy is welcome and not wasted. A few songs drag from the stylistic change, but other than that, the transition works.
I suppose with the band's transition to a more melodic, easily listenable core, some may consider this album much too average. FACT are a still crazy band, however, often dabbling with metallic riffs, also using gang vocals and harsh vocals. On top of that, this is a fairly diverse album, including more electronic elements than before, stirring them in gently for a smidgen of extra spice. Other times their electronic elements take over songs for interesting tracks like '1-4' where they go mad with breakcore. That type of willingness to explore unknown boundaries is old school FACT, which proves that they are indeed back. If any further proof is necessary, however, I would advise listening to
burundanga, for it's quite a fun album. They have refined their style to an elegant point, and the result is certainly worth listening to.
