I need to stop using Myspace to find new bands. Every band that seems to be even remotely promising ends up disappointing me. There are obviously a few exceptions, like when I found Norma Jean(introduced me to metalcore) and when I found Sky Eats Airplane. Other times, like with War from a Harlots Mouth and Dr.Acula, I’m left wishing I didn’t waste 10 minutes of my time. For The Fallen Dreams makes me wish I didn’t waste 30+ minutes of my time.
For the Fallen Dreams is another metalcore band who recently popped up onto the scene. They combine down-tuned guitars, loads of bass drum kicks, and a vocalist who never changes up his delivery. The main problem with For the Fallen Dreams is not how they fare within the genre, but how they fare within the album. This album is plain. Everything about this album is generic. There is little to no technicality to be found here at all. The guitar riffs are pretty simple and could easily be played by anyone with a year or two of practice, or a few months of lessons. The bass, when you actually listen for it, is audible. In terms of most popular music this is a pleasant surprise, but it doesn’t get even remotely difficult at any point, and it almost always is situated behind the guitars playing either the same riff or a supporting riff. The vocalist’s range, typically, is probably less than an octave. His vocals sound fine, excluding his lows which seem kind of weak, but they aren’t anything to tell your friends about. The drums on this album are terribly generic. They sound fine and do a good job of keeping time and providing a good fill or two here and there, but it never does anything unique.
And to be honest, that is the problem with this album and For the Fallen Dreams as a whole. While this album isn’t terrible, it is terribly generic. This album is the epitome of the current metalcore scene; stagnant. It’s too bad that this band couldn’t step out and try to distinguish themselves. There are some breakdowns in this album, but nothing to write home about. Typically, when I’m listening to an album, I can’t help but move around in my chair, or my bed, or wherever I am listening to it. Hell, I moshed to Panic! at the Disco once. While listening to this album I didn’t move once.
Bright spots? Well, Changes is actually a pretty cool song. There are no vocals and you can hear the bass in the beginning. The song isn’t great, but it’s the best song on the album and something that they should strive to replicate. The song has a mediocre rhythm section, but the lead is absolutely haunting. Overall, For the Fallen Dreams is just another metalcore band to add to the heap. They show signs of possible greatness (mostly Changes, along with some other good lead work), but it’s more than likely this is what they will always be; mediocre.
I agree at the plainness of this album, however I like it a lot. I am a vocalist and that's one thing I immediately noticed is that there is no changes in his range at all throughout the album. You can tell he is passionate about what he is doing and that means more than actual talent...at least to me. I love it's melodic feel and the groove of the breakdowns, but like I said...I can see the plainness which you are talking about. I guess it would be more of a guilty pleasure than a stand out, genre shattering band. You do have admit that they do well in their style of metal. It might be typical, but at least it sounds decent.
Seconding what he said ^ In my opinion, the tunes are mostly catchy, if mundane, and they certainly do a better job than similar bands like It Prevails and For Today.
love the cd. timeless. of course it sounds generic. its the scene you are listening to. generic... hmm.. maybe genre would be your word? as for WFAHM, if you call that generic maybe you need to start dwelling into prog metal. there is plenty of vocal range in symphony x and nightwish. eat up the epic odyssey lyrics.
I agree at the plainness of this album, however I like it a lot. I am a vocalist and that's one thing I immediately noticed is that there is no changes in his range at all throughout the album. You can tell he is passionate about what he is doing and that means more than actual talent...at least to me. I love it's melodic feel and the groove of the breakdowns, but like I said...I can see the plainness which you are talking about. I guess it would be more of a guilty pleasure than a stand out, genre shattering band. You do have admit that they do well in their style of metal. It might be typical, but at least it sounds decent.
I agree. It's not bad, and there are some good lead parts. I think they have some potential, they just need to use it.
This album shows a bit of potential for ftfd. I think its a bit too formulaic - as far as every song keeping to the same idea, but
nonetheless solid, and listenable.
I actually really like this album. They use distorted chords, which is sort of unique, but they overuse them. The album is actually pretty solid, but yes, repetitive.
