Review Summary: FACT have created a very interesting and incredibly varied album with their self titled debut.
FACT are an interesting band. They come off as a Japanese "Slipknot" with their kabuki mask influenced image. However, the comparisons end there. In fact (haha), FACT are difficult to compare to any other band. They have rock, alt-rock, and electronic influences, and quicker than you can say "Linkin Park," they throw in some heavy metal.
Yes they are Japanese. Yes the lead singer has a slight accent. And no, this does not in any way ruin the album. If anything it adds even more color to an already very colorful record. Everyone else in the band is just as adequate too, crafting 16 average length songs. This may seem like a lot of music to digest, but each song is so incredibly catchy and diverse that listening isn't a chore at all.
Because of the sheer number of songs, I will only focus on the standouts. "A Fact of Life" is their first single, and a very impressive one at that. It's a very high energy song, and features more electronic influences than any other. If you have any interest in this band I would highly recommend this track. "Reborn" and "Rise" take the energy of the previously mentioned song and add even more to it. "Reborn" features some of the best instrumentals, even a wonderful guitar solo! And "Rise" is an outstanding choice for the closer, blending everything that was great about the album into one excellent song.
Yes it sounds like Im giving nothing but praise. Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting something this great from a Facebook add. Or maybe it's because FACT have actually created a truly unique and great piece of music.
But I feel I must present some of the cons of this album. With such a wide array of influences, the songs have almost no flow to them. The songs sound to distinct from one another. This isn't necessarily a complaint, but FACT will be difficult for many to digest. They are a very strange band needless to say. But for those willing enough, one of 2009's biggest surprises awaits.
