Funeral For a Friend - Hours
Matt Davies - Vocals
Darren Smith - Guitar
Kris Coombes Roberts - Guitar
Gareth Davies - Bass
Ryan Richardson – Drums
All The Rage
Streetcar
Roses For The Dead
Hospitality
Drive
Monsters
History
Recovery
The End Of Nothing
Alvarez
Sonny
Funeral For a Friend have never been on my “must buy” list. I’ve heard a few tracks here and there, but hadn’t really been blown away by them. Funeral For A Friend were something of a surprise package from Wales, initially formed in 2001, and releasing their first EP in 2002. That EP, “Between Order and Model” was well received, and since then it’s been something of a meteoric climb, for the most part, with their first full length album “Casually Dressed and Deep In Conversation” taking the number 12 spot in the UK charts.
The album actually opens quite promisingly with "All the Rage" and I’m genuinely surprised. It doesn’t seem as “raw” as some of their previous work, and maybe this is where the problems are going to start. You see, there’s been a bit of a “progression” towards a slightly slower approach with less screaming, and this may actually get them a few new fans. Unfortunately some people like to cling to what they know, and already you can hear the screams of “SELLOUTS!!”.
Personally, I liked “Drive” and “Monsters” as they show a certain maturity in writing decent melodic hooks as opposed to “we’ll just scream and that’ll do the job”. They aren’t the most aggressive tracks on the album, but nonetheless you can’t help but like them. I still find though that the lyrics are a little erm, “desperate”, and because of this I’m never going to list this band as a favourite.
On a slightly “twee” moment we have the “clever” album artwork featuring a blonde haired school girl on the cover, sporting the usual formal school attire with the latest fashion accessory, a bullet-proof vest. When you flick through the album’s booklet you are shown the transition from the 60’s, through 70’s, 80’s etc up until today. It’s about as subtle as a brick.
Finally, for something of a “Maiden” moment, I give you the opening to "The End Of Nothing", which then fades away to an “ok” song. And that sums up the album, it’s ok, it’s not brilliant, it’s not going to set your world alight, but generally speaking it’s not bad.
Once again thanks to Leicestershire Libraries!
