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Faunts
High Expectations/Low Results


3.5
great

Review

by fireaboveicebelow USER (107 Reviews)
December 22nd, 2008 | 20 replies


Release Date: 2005 | Tracklist


Hybrid bands are fun. They always keep you on your toes. When listening to their albums you hear a song that sounds like one genre, and then the next song sounds completely left field, and this can either become a good or bad thing. With The Faunts, it’s a very good thing. With an overall sound only describable as dreamy post-pop, this diverse debut is sure to start stirring some interest.

The album title can tell you two things. First, that the band is really self-conscious. Second, that the sound of the album is a low result in the manner of expectations. The serene, ambient structures fluctuate and weave through the song’s allotted time with a total indication of independence. Structure actually wouldn’t be a suitable word because of the instruments’ echoey effects to fall wherever they please. Even the vocals are carefree to the point where you don’t know if he’s even singing lyrics, but rather swimming with the ships.

The album opens up with four minutes of hi-fi, stormy, yet muffled, ambience. Because of the sound of this first song, you pretty much expect the rest of the album to carry out in a similar fashion…but you couldn’t be more wrong. The next track starts just as delicate, but soon explodes into a post- rock dirge. The muffled quality of the sound mixed with the ever-changing, ever-growing wind effects bring a new format to the sound, as well as the drums playing some rather intricate stuff for post-rock during the loud sections. While the quieter areas of the song sound divine and fragile, the louder parts somehow make the same pattern of notes sound wholly ominous.

If that wasn’t enough of a change for you from the first track, the next is sure to catch you off guard. Memories Of Places We’ve Never Been is a Cure tribute song essentially, but done so very well. They use the same synth sounds and rhythm patterns, but still sounding very much in their own rite, with the vocals sounding like Silversun Pickups at times. Easily one of the most enjoyable tracks on here. The next two songs carry on with a Sigur Ros themed sound, with silver bells implemented quite nicely. Faunts have a knack for writing pretty short, and fulfilling, post-rock tracks, and aside from their thirteen minute brooding session the tracks rarely go over six minutes.

The album ends as it began, the ultimate dream soundtrack. Marking their place in music’s mind, they’ve already put out their second record, with their third record coming out in February of 2009. Faunts is most certainly an interesting band to watch for, and because of their assorted and free approach to writing they have the ability to appeal to all sorts of audiences. Maybe if you come into this record with high expectations, your result will be a tranquil satisfaction, with the subtle urge to continue this dream.



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user ratings (38)
3.7
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
robin
December 22nd 2008


4596 Comments


this album is great. they seem to get radiohead comparisons, which i don't understand. nice review.

fireaboveicebelow
December 22nd 2008


6835 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

thanks, yeah there aren't any similarities to radiohead no matter how much you want to think so sorry people

magictikkleCwicked
December 22nd 2008


272 Comments


I've been looking for a band name to put to this album cover for years, literally. Thanks a lot! Good review, too, this album is pretty awesome.

PayneTiger777
December 23rd 2008


4531 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yes someone finally reviewed this album. I've been listening to them a lot on last.fm and I got into them because of Mass Effect. I hate when people compare other bands with Radiohead.This Message Edited On 12.22.08

fireaboveicebelow
December 23rd 2008


6835 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

lol thanks guys

magictikkle, I had the exact same problem as you before, I knew the cover but not the band so I saw it at a store and bought it immediately without knowing what I was doing

Willie
Moderator
December 23rd 2008


20311 Comments


With an overall sound only describable as dreamy post-pop
I want this... have another pos.

fireaboveicebelow
December 23rd 2008


6835 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

you like pos'ing me willie its nice

Willie
Moderator
December 23rd 2008


20311 Comments


Don't think I'm handing them out freely... if the review sucked you'd know ;)

fireaboveicebelow
December 23rd 2008


6835 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

well I dont plan to suck so it works out

tommygun
July 24th 2013


27117 Comments


this is fuckin cool

PenisforPenis
July 24th 2013


17 Comments


swee

tommygun
July 24th 2013


27117 Comments


sup lake

PenisforPenis
July 24th 2013


17 Comments


?

tommygun
July 24th 2013


27117 Comments


don't even

tommygun
July 24th 2013


27117 Comments


jammin

PunchforPunch
July 24th 2013


7085 Comments


wow tommy how did you that was lakes?!

tommygun
July 24th 2013


27117 Comments


cos his shitty antics are super predictable

bob marley jammin is the worst song in the world

tommygun
July 24th 2013


27117 Comments


Parler de la Pluie et du Beau Temps is such a smooth groove

tommygun
July 24th 2013


27117 Comments


you've lost it

hal1ax
March 10th 2017


15777 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

this is nice



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