Is this an American-based website? Or a British site? I'm very supirsed that this cd hasn't been reviewed yet. Faker are one of the biggest bands down here in Australia at the moment, with three singles released from their debut album, Addicted Romantic. It's strange though, faker have been around for 10 years, and this is there only album to date. Nathan Hudson(vocalist) is the only band member to have survive all ten years and in between1996 to present, Faker has had around 23 members at different times in it's existence. But the present band that lines up today was properly formed in mid-year of 2003. Hudson teamed up with Paul Berryman (drums), Philip Downing (guitar), Stefan Gregory (guitar) and Nicholas Munnings (bass). Addicted Romantic is a fun album really which is reflected in faker's live performances, Hudson is contantly on the move,with a strong and unique voice and always dancing, though he is still a little short of being as entertaining as Cederic Zavalas(of The Mars Volta), they still put on an awesome performance. On to the album then.
1.Bodies: Comes in with some nice drum work, and a powerful, yet catchy guitar riff. Then Hudson's boisterous vocie comes in and the song flows from there. the lyrics are self-explanatory, confronting Infedelity. It's not the best on the cd, but like the most of the songs, you learn to love it. 3/5 for the opening track
2.Quarter to 3: Follows the opening song, they sound almost the same, Hudson is still depressed about something, problems with a grilfriend most likely. The chorus is the strongpoint in the song, Hudson screaming "This is the way we go!/ You has the night, I had the plans". It's a powerful song, yet in a way it's chilling to listen to because we can all relate to it.
3.5/5
3.Love for sale: And yet another sad song, possibly the best song on the album. The album's second single. Faker's attempt at an acoustic love song. Hudson's has a way with lyrics, he's no Bob Dylan or Conor Oberest, but he has a way of really making you feel what he's feeling, and thats performed best in this song. Hudson sings a story on his love for a girl that doesn't want him anymore. at about 1:57 Hudson comes in with a powerful "and it's all, all down, hill from here" and he does this strange stutter that adds to the emotion, making you feel as if it is all over. You'll fall in love with this song quite easily. 4.5/5
4.Volumes: I don't know what to make of this song. the verses are catchy but they don't make much sense, than the chorus repeats "your right, I'm right" so I don't know what Hudson's singing about. I like this song though, first real guitar solo takes it's place in this song. I suppose it's a fun song, not out to make sense, just there to rock out to.
3/5
5.Kids on Overload: This is a gem when performed live. The intro has you hooked really, and the verses keep you attention and by the chorus you'll be on your feet dancing. Again, like Volumes in a sense that it has no real meaning, but Hudson's energetic vocals will keep you listening. One of my favourite songs on the album.
4/5
6.***ing the Exhibits: Faker seem to have a pattern in this album. They'll depress you with the first 3 songs, then the following 3 will get you on your feet. As good as the previous song, possibly better, the chours makes you want to go crazy, "I'm a live wire, I'm electricity and I'll be ***ing the exhibits, because they're In front of me". I haven't really mentioned alot about the guitaring because compared to hudson's vocals it doesn't really stand out, but in this song it's superb, Gregory and Downing comliment each other perfectly, and as energetic and quriky Hudson is, it is the quality of the guitaring allows him to do that.
4.5/5
7.Teenage Werewolf: There's an acoustic guitar in here, though it's not as sad as Love for sale, it's a change from the previous track. Great song, Hudson sings about another failed love, and the way it's affected the friendship.
3.5/5
8.Seizures: Opens with a snare drum and goes into an acoustic riff. Seizures is about love on the road with a drug addict I think. The verses are talking about touring life and meeting a girl than the chorus is about seizures by the seaside, prescriptions and being affected. I love the song though.
4/5
9.Hurricane: Faker's biggest hit, there first single, the one that introduced them to Australia. If Hurricane doesn't make you want to dance than you either don't have legs or you don't have legs. Hudson's unique voice is a little overdone on this song but in some ways that adds to the beauty of this song. The song has a meaning aswell, Hudson sings about how he never "fitted in" during his days at school, though he doesn't ingabout in a sad way, it's almost psychastic. Great song.
4.5/5
10.The Familiar: My favourite song on the album. A fun, fast paced lovesong. The verses are fantastic, changing subjects as fast as the music, my favourite lyric is where Hudson says "When all the terrors breaking, do you like rollerskating?" I don't know why but that lyric really grabs, and i don't think Faker mean for it to be a deep, powerful lyric but for me it descirbes a picture in my head that even though the world is ending, he doesn't care he just wants to be with the one he loves.
5/5
11.Enough: I think the album should end at The Familiar. Enough just plain annoys me, doesn't anything for me at all. Though it only goes for a around 2 minutes.
1.5/5
12.Ghosts: The closing song is another acoustic song. I't slow and Hudson's singing is too drawn out for me. I suppose the lyrics are well written but this song shouldn't close the album, it's not strong enough.
2/5
So all in all Addicted Romantic is a stunning debut album from Faker and it will be interesting to hear the next album. I would give this album a 5 if it ended at the familiar but sadly it's final two songs let it down. Despite this, Addicted Romantic will stay in your cd player for a long time.
Addicted Romantic 4/5
Pros-Hudson's voice
-Guitaring
-Hudson's energy
-Hudson in general
Cons-the last two songs
-occasionaly the lyrics have no meaning
Best tracks: Love For sale, Kids On Overload, ***ing the Exhibits, The Familiar
