 | Tracklist:
1. FOSS
2. 1000 Miles
3. Pink Rolex
4. Melt
5. Tonight
6. Polyrhythm Winter
7. Kyou
8. Eighty Six
9. Crying
10. Mimic
11. 1-4
12. GSMD
13. Temptation
14. Give Up - Bonus Track
15. Empty Mind - Bonus Track
Release Date: 01/13/2012 | |
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On 2 Lists
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| Summary: they're back and that's a fact. |
6 of 6 thought this review was well written
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.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
This will definitely be on my year end list.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
first album was great
i'll check it out
Digging: Janus - Nox Aeris | | | Album Rating: 3
Album's pretty disappointing.
Digging: Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight | | | Album Rating: 3
I had it at a 3.5 initially, but realized I was being too generous.
The self titled album is a classic to me, and In The Blink Of An Eye was great (not as good), but this is sounding like a weaker man's In The Blink...
| | | Album Rating: 4
good album
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If this is their best since the S/T I really, really need this right now
Digging: Jam City - Classical Curves
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posthardcore
Not one word - you did this last time with electrohouse
Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin
| | | Album Rating: 4
Dangnabbit!
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Dagnabbit**
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and FACT's most consistently good effort.
This reads kind of strangely as well
| | | Album Rating: 4
@ Rev: Alright I fixed that too lol
Hmm yes it does Dev
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
Uggh, such a boring album :/
Digging: All That Jazz - Ghibli Jazz 2 Digging: All That Jazz - Ghibli Jazz 2 | | | Album Rating: 4
What makes it boring for you (out of curiosity)?
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Yay more FACT.
Digging: The Flashbulb - Arboreal Digging: The Flashbulb - Arboreal
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
Just the guitar work really, sometimes its all in my face, but most of the time its out of my way. Its average, at best, guitar work. It just doesn't feel/sound the same as their debut, and their debut was fantastic to say the least.
The vocals don't really do it for me on this album either...maybe I'm just being too picky.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Guitar wasn't the best, but the vocals more than made up for it imo
| | | Album Rating: 4
Yeah I guess the guitar work isn't that good, and especially pales in comparison to Eat Your Words, which was totally guitar driven.
| | | Album Rating: 3
Eat Your Words was equally disappointing
| | | Album Rating: 4
A bloc review of this would be interesting.
| | | Album Rating: 3
A bloc review would be interesting
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