From First to Last - Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count
Released:2004 (Epitaph)
From First to Last is:
Sonny Moore - Lead Vocals
Matt Good- Guitar/Vocals
Travis Richter- Guitar/Scream
Jon Weisburg- Bass/Scream
Derek - Drums/Scream
Background Info:
This if From First to Last's first full length, after releasing an EP. Since the EP, they picked up singer Sonny Moore, replacing their old singer who left to do more poppy things. This album is a lot heavier than their EP, but still borders on pop-punk. These guys can put on a great live show as well.
Track 1: Soliloquy
This track is just a quick intro, not too much to write here.
Track 2: The One Armed Boxer vs. The Flying Guillotine
The first noticable thing you here on this album is "Kill The Lights" not far into the first song, following a thumping drum beat. The drums are done very well in this song, as they are with most of the album. Sonny delivers a great vocal performance as well. This song tends to be pretty heavy, but the chorus is pretty catchy. After a little interlude, the song concludes with a good outro, and a quick drum solo at the end, leading right into the next song.
Track 3: Note to Self
This is the song most everyone has heard off this album. After a catchy little into, it breaks out. Great drums in this song as, as well as the vocals. This song also has some good lyrical content as well. This song does get a little repititive towards the end though, and that detracts from the song a little. Again, the outro leading right into the next song.
Track 4: I Liked You Better Before You Were Naked on the Internet
A very creative name, not that it has anything to do with the song. This song is a break after the first two songs, lightening up a lot. The first half of the song Sonny delivers some good falsetto vocals. A very catchy drum beat goes along with this song as well. Not too long of a song, quickens up at the end leading into the next song. And you cant forget the little twinkley part in the middle of the song.
Track 5: Featuring Some of Your Favorite Words
This song starts off right into it, and stays with it throughout the whole song. This is one of the more catchy songs on the album, but still a good overall performance. This isn't as impressive as the first few songs, and it becomes very repititive also.
Track 6: Emily
This is the CD's acoustic song. Its quite a well written song, both lyrically and musically. It's not often you have a lead guitar part in an acoustic song. Not too long, but it's one of the better songs on the CD. Sonny's performance is disappointing compared to the other songs, as he gets really whiney.
Track 7: Secrets Don't Make Friends
This song gets into it right after the acoustic song, being one of the heavier songs on the album. Nothing amazing instrumentally, but Sonnys vocals stand out on the track. As do the lyrics.
Track 8: Populace in Two
This is one of my favorite songs on the album. It isn't too heavy, but Sonny does the vocals very well, and the lyrics are well written. The drums in this song are probably the best part instrumentally, as well as the little guitar solo near the end.
Track 9: Kiss Me, I'm Contagious
Guitarist Travis Richter picks up the mic for the main vocals of this song. This is probably the heaviest song on the CD. As I said, Travis does most of the song, so that means it's mostly screaming, with Sonny getting in there every once in a while. It has a really catching lead guitar part after the second chorus, accompained by "Can I touch your legs? Do I make you sweat?"
Track 10: Minuet
This song is simple, just some good acoustic lead guitar work.
Track 11: Ride the Wings of Pestilence
This is by far the best song on the album. Very well done all around, vocals, music, and lyrics. Again, great drums, and suprisingly good lead guitar work on this one too. Sonnys vocals are excellent as with most of the album. Pretty dark lyrics compared to the rest of the CD, but very well written. This is their first single, you can catch the video on fuse.
Track 12: (Hidden Track)
It's not really hidden, because it actually is another track, it's just not shown on the CD. This song isn't meant to be serious, but it is still a great performance. One of the best besides Ride the Wings. Some very spiteful lyrics directed to some girl. And what really suprised me, they bring in a rapper and have the last verse rapped. This is done by Major League Playa. The song ends the CD with a powerfully screamed "Drop it like it's hot, shake it like a salt shaker".
Favorite Tracks
The One Armed Boxer vs. The Flying Guillotine
Emily
Populace in Two
Ride the Wings of Pestilence
Overall/Rating:
This is one of the best albums of the genre that I've heard in a long time. I'd suggest it to anyone into pop-punk, and anyone into any other kind of music. Overall it's just an amazing album with few downsides. I give it a 4/5.
This Message Edited On 07.15.05
