Really good review. To me, you don't sound too biased at all. Just observing the trendy "metalcore" genre as a whole, and quite accurately.

Album Rating: 3.0

The review was well written, but I feel like you kind of generalized this band and metalcore alike. These guys are pretty damn innovative if you ask me. Trendy metalcore is TDWP or Asking Alexandria. I think In Fear and Faith has much more going for them than most bands of the genre nowadays. Just my opinion.

Being made a contributor has turned you into a hard ass

Album Rating: 2.0

Good review but it doesen't really sound like you went into the album with an open mind. Album may not be great but I think it deserves a higher rating.

Album Rating: 2.0

Won't neg you though! I still agree with a lot of it. Beats attack attack though.

Even if Attack Attack was around in 2005, they really didn't get any recognition until they released Someday Came Suddenly. They didn't release an EP until 2008 anyway, and I doubt anyone was looking to copy them back then. I'm not sure what bands you're referring to, because BlessTheFall didn't use synth on their debut and they didn't release their second album until recently and Asking Alexandria didn't form until 2007, not to mention that they are probably the kings of aping in the scene. If you were talking about the bands you said before you mentioned the scene bands, then my bad.

In Fear and Faith started doing the keyboard synth thing with post hardcore just as it started to become popular. Back in 2007, those elements weren't nearly as prevalent as they are now and there were no "big" bands with synth/keyboards that up and coming bands would try to emulate.

Album sounded a bit too muddy, the previous release was nice and bright.

Album Rating: 1.5

The new Observer; dishin' out the 1.5's

^ I like it

I was enjoying myself until this:


"To contextualize things, the cringe worthy strings can be likened to indie-rockers Modest Mouse with an ever-increasing level of commercialism"

WHYYYYYY?! I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that the TLCW and M&A days are gone!

Bias.

Being made a contributor has turned you into a hard ass

Bias.

Songs on myspace reminded me on A Static Lullaby so I think this rating is pretty accurate.

Yeah it's no big deal. I'm kind of surprised you hate the vocals though, I thought the cleans improved a lot from Your World on Fire and I really like this guy's screaming. But, to each their own I suppose.

oh i can see most of my friends getting right on top of this and riding it all summer long all the while trying to insist to me that "this band fuckin rules"

oh, forsooth

This new wave of post-hardcore bands looks very alike to me... I totally understand folks that give 2 or 4 rating. Only from time to time rise some band that push the wave in some direction.

Album Rating: 3.0

The guitar in this album is weak.... the drums are no star either, but you hate the vocals and the synth/piano/strings too? I actually like these aspects. Although there may not be great musical talent to be heard here, this album is a good listen IMO. I can see why people could not like it, but I think a 1.5 or a 1.0 is too harsh.

Album Rating: 1.5

Very good review! Slightly off the point but I agree with every word!

Album Rating: 1.0

At one of the famous third string shows in Texas, these guys played. They are horrid live and on track. While they played i hit one of them in the face with a ball, and they finished the song and then pointed me out and threatened to slit my throat. They are grade a toolbags with nothing more than an overground music taste. when i went to talk to them about it, they were almost afraid, and acted like rockstars. immediately afterward, i set my friends on fire dedicated a song to me for hitting him with the ball, although i think ismfof is a disgrace, i liked them that day

Thanks for the feature

Interesting rating distribution for this so far - I'm not as alone as I had thought I'd be.