Happymeal
10-02-2004, 06:32 PM
Further Seems Forever - The Moon Is Down
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005AKIL.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Further Seems Forever in the time of the recording are:
Chris Carraba - Vocals
Josh Colbert - Guitars
Nick Dominguez - Guitars
Chad Neptune - Bass
Steve Kleisath - Drums
Released 2001 by Tooth And Nail Records
Further Seems Forever released their first ever song, Vengeance Factor, on Emo Diaries #9 - An Ocean Of Doubt(Deep Elm Records) and have done a split with Recess Theory(Takehold Records) before they came up with their debut full length, The Moon Is Down.
In the midst of dozens and dozens of post-emo/pop-punk acts nowadays, it's a bit hard to tell apart bands because a lot of them sound like one another. Before the craze started(or was just starting), there was Further Seems Forever starting out, and Chris Carraba not quite the popstar he is today. The lyrics are the usual boy-girl, self-pity, heartbreak topics, but uncommercialized enough to still be considered honest, but with double-meanings, so they were labelled a "Christian band". The production leaves a lot to be desired, but has that raw feel to it, which rather fits for a debut.
Track by track:
1. The Moon Is Down - Kicks off with sounds from a plane taking off(or landing). Everything else cuts in after a while, along with Carraba's "distinct" voice. Jangly guitars are pretty much strummed throughout the verses and choruses. The drums are great. I'm not talking about death metal/grind drums though; in a post-emo sense, he varies his whacks with the high hat and snares, which makes for an interesting listen. It ends as Chris sings "..after the fire". A good way to start the album. 3.8/5
2. The Bradley - A catchy, somewhat fading riff begins the song. The flow can throw you off, sounds kinda odd-time at first listen. The verse is nice, followed by a nice chorus("I see you left me with your, your last word.."). The tempo changes at the second verse, guitars get a bit chunkier and more aggressive. Chris' voice alters from good to a bit annoying though, especially in the last part. Still a good song. 3.5/5
3. Snowbirds And Townies - This song is a single, I think. A calm opening, the tune is more restrained and sadder than the last two. The short verse with a soft piano turns to an emotionally resonant chorus, his voice breaks out in "On these boats". It has LOSS written all over it. Apparently this is a very personal song to Chris, when he choked live out while singing "in this long forgotten beach town we onced shared". A very touching song lyrically and musically, this is probably my favorite. 4.5/5
4. Monachetti - Melancholy tunes open up the song, the drums are good, as usual. It has an angry tone as it progresses, as the words put the blame on another person for his sufferring("you're the reason I feel broken and branded and burning with doubt"). After the sad, angsty chorus, it quiets down a bit until he blasts out "these things are dealt in increments!". Carraba's vocal work gives the song a big push, escalating the guitars' and drums' presence. It's a bit short though, and after he screams that line again, the song's over. 3.9/5
5. Madison Prep - A pop-punky verse starts it off, he sings a bit softer than usual. The beat doesn't change at the chorus, which is ok, but a bit too generic sounding. The drums are a bit below par too. The bridge acts as the saving grace though, the tempo changes a bit, but other than that, this is a pretty average-mediocre song. I skip this most of the time. 2/5
6. New Year's Project - The slowest, most laid back intro in the album, like a ballad. Guitars are plucked, there's a bit of static with their sound. Obviously, at first glance this is a sad, rather sappy love song("your hands didn't move, well neither did mine"). The pre-chorus reeks of self-pity("to hold you now; it is a far cry more than anything that I deserve"). The chorus has a turbulent, desperate feel to it, that I find beautiful and it all builds up to a climax when Carraba cries out "New Years will bring me to you". He proves that he doesn't need to "bawl like a bitch" to get his message across. Easily the best song in here. 4.7/5
7. Just Until Sundown - Things calm down a bit in this song. The verse is somewhat spacey, with the jangly guitars and all. Drum whacks are again, varied, which is, of course, always welcome. At about a minute and a half the distortion cranks up, it sounds a bit chunkier. The vocals meander from high to low notes, accompanied by a nice backup. The lyrics, not surprisingly, talks about a person leaving, a failed relationship. "all on you.. and me". Not bad. 3.3/5
8. Pictures of Shorelines - The fastest song on the album. Lyrics talk about doubting on another person. The soft whispering backup vocals is a nice touch too, it adds some color to Carraba's narrow ranging in the verse. Guitars are better than usual, strumming parts have a nice transition to the small riffs. I think it's supposed to be sort of an angry song, but the tune really has some cheer. The bridge is awesome, I like how they change the flow of the songs so they don't get boring fast. It ends with "but less of you is more than I can take". 3.5/5
9. Wearing Thin - At mid-tempo, it's not as sad and depressing as the other songs. "This is the last time I'll try to reach you," he says, but the song does have a hopeful tone. There's not much to talk about here on the instrumentation, because the guitars sound a bit recycled coming from other songs. Lyrics show a bit of positivity, "go your own way and I'll be with you, make mistakes and I'll forgive you". This song is alright. 3/5
10. A New Desert Life - This song sounds different from all the others, I think they kinda experimented on this one. Carraba's voice is layered, one whispering and the other singing. Lyrics are a bit out of place too, it strays from relationships and focuses on the individual, whose life is somewhat falling apart("and nothing here, is quite as deep as you hoped it would be"). Guitars add some subtle melancholy to the song, as does the drums and the discreet bass. A good way to end the album(it comes with a filler too). 3.5/5
To sum it all up, The Moon Is Down is far from being an influential, groundbeaking, seminal album, because it really doesn't aim for that. Rather, it's for "one of those moments", when you want to reach that more personal, softer side of yours. Chris Carraba's voice and lyrics more often than not makes or breaks the interest of the listener, since he "whines about his lovelife" most of the time. But if you can stand that, and maybe even appreciate his style of singing and writing like me, add to that some no-nonsense musicians, the experience is very rewarding.
3.8/5
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005AKIL.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Further Seems Forever in the time of the recording are:
Chris Carraba - Vocals
Josh Colbert - Guitars
Nick Dominguez - Guitars
Chad Neptune - Bass
Steve Kleisath - Drums
Released 2001 by Tooth And Nail Records
Further Seems Forever released their first ever song, Vengeance Factor, on Emo Diaries #9 - An Ocean Of Doubt(Deep Elm Records) and have done a split with Recess Theory(Takehold Records) before they came up with their debut full length, The Moon Is Down.
In the midst of dozens and dozens of post-emo/pop-punk acts nowadays, it's a bit hard to tell apart bands because a lot of them sound like one another. Before the craze started(or was just starting), there was Further Seems Forever starting out, and Chris Carraba not quite the popstar he is today. The lyrics are the usual boy-girl, self-pity, heartbreak topics, but uncommercialized enough to still be considered honest, but with double-meanings, so they were labelled a "Christian band". The production leaves a lot to be desired, but has that raw feel to it, which rather fits for a debut.
Track by track:
1. The Moon Is Down - Kicks off with sounds from a plane taking off(or landing). Everything else cuts in after a while, along with Carraba's "distinct" voice. Jangly guitars are pretty much strummed throughout the verses and choruses. The drums are great. I'm not talking about death metal/grind drums though; in a post-emo sense, he varies his whacks with the high hat and snares, which makes for an interesting listen. It ends as Chris sings "..after the fire". A good way to start the album. 3.8/5
2. The Bradley - A catchy, somewhat fading riff begins the song. The flow can throw you off, sounds kinda odd-time at first listen. The verse is nice, followed by a nice chorus("I see you left me with your, your last word.."). The tempo changes at the second verse, guitars get a bit chunkier and more aggressive. Chris' voice alters from good to a bit annoying though, especially in the last part. Still a good song. 3.5/5
3. Snowbirds And Townies - This song is a single, I think. A calm opening, the tune is more restrained and sadder than the last two. The short verse with a soft piano turns to an emotionally resonant chorus, his voice breaks out in "On these boats". It has LOSS written all over it. Apparently this is a very personal song to Chris, when he choked live out while singing "in this long forgotten beach town we onced shared". A very touching song lyrically and musically, this is probably my favorite. 4.5/5
4. Monachetti - Melancholy tunes open up the song, the drums are good, as usual. It has an angry tone as it progresses, as the words put the blame on another person for his sufferring("you're the reason I feel broken and branded and burning with doubt"). After the sad, angsty chorus, it quiets down a bit until he blasts out "these things are dealt in increments!". Carraba's vocal work gives the song a big push, escalating the guitars' and drums' presence. It's a bit short though, and after he screams that line again, the song's over. 3.9/5
5. Madison Prep - A pop-punky verse starts it off, he sings a bit softer than usual. The beat doesn't change at the chorus, which is ok, but a bit too generic sounding. The drums are a bit below par too. The bridge acts as the saving grace though, the tempo changes a bit, but other than that, this is a pretty average-mediocre song. I skip this most of the time. 2/5
6. New Year's Project - The slowest, most laid back intro in the album, like a ballad. Guitars are plucked, there's a bit of static with their sound. Obviously, at first glance this is a sad, rather sappy love song("your hands didn't move, well neither did mine"). The pre-chorus reeks of self-pity("to hold you now; it is a far cry more than anything that I deserve"). The chorus has a turbulent, desperate feel to it, that I find beautiful and it all builds up to a climax when Carraba cries out "New Years will bring me to you". He proves that he doesn't need to "bawl like a bitch" to get his message across. Easily the best song in here. 4.7/5
7. Just Until Sundown - Things calm down a bit in this song. The verse is somewhat spacey, with the jangly guitars and all. Drum whacks are again, varied, which is, of course, always welcome. At about a minute and a half the distortion cranks up, it sounds a bit chunkier. The vocals meander from high to low notes, accompanied by a nice backup. The lyrics, not surprisingly, talks about a person leaving, a failed relationship. "all on you.. and me". Not bad. 3.3/5
8. Pictures of Shorelines - The fastest song on the album. Lyrics talk about doubting on another person. The soft whispering backup vocals is a nice touch too, it adds some color to Carraba's narrow ranging in the verse. Guitars are better than usual, strumming parts have a nice transition to the small riffs. I think it's supposed to be sort of an angry song, but the tune really has some cheer. The bridge is awesome, I like how they change the flow of the songs so they don't get boring fast. It ends with "but less of you is more than I can take". 3.5/5
9. Wearing Thin - At mid-tempo, it's not as sad and depressing as the other songs. "This is the last time I'll try to reach you," he says, but the song does have a hopeful tone. There's not much to talk about here on the instrumentation, because the guitars sound a bit recycled coming from other songs. Lyrics show a bit of positivity, "go your own way and I'll be with you, make mistakes and I'll forgive you". This song is alright. 3/5
10. A New Desert Life - This song sounds different from all the others, I think they kinda experimented on this one. Carraba's voice is layered, one whispering and the other singing. Lyrics are a bit out of place too, it strays from relationships and focuses on the individual, whose life is somewhat falling apart("and nothing here, is quite as deep as you hoped it would be"). Guitars add some subtle melancholy to the song, as does the drums and the discreet bass. A good way to end the album(it comes with a filler too). 3.5/5
To sum it all up, The Moon Is Down is far from being an influential, groundbeaking, seminal album, because it really doesn't aim for that. Rather, it's for "one of those moments", when you want to reach that more personal, softer side of yours. Chris Carraba's voice and lyrics more often than not makes or breaks the interest of the listener, since he "whines about his lovelife" most of the time. But if you can stand that, and maybe even appreciate his style of singing and writing like me, add to that some no-nonsense musicians, the experience is very rewarding.
3.8/5