Posted October 16, 200816 yr anyone else got this? i think its quite good, going more back to CDADIC day's, nothing too special though. there has been alot of postive reviews: Music Mgazine gave it 10/10 Wales, the self-titled “Land of Song”. During the past 40 years or so, Wales has given us the lot. We’ve had Harry Secombe, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, H and Lisa from Steps, Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, and in more recent years, Funeral For A Friend. If, like me, you’ve been purposely out of touch with the modern music scene for the last ten years and aren’t too sure who Funeral For A Friend actually are, you’d be forgiven for thinking that they’re another one of these emo bands with translucent skin, guyliner, hair straighteners and very little going on in the talent department. So, with this idea lodged firmly in the forefront of my mind, you can understand how completely shocked I was to hear what could only be described as a masterpiece of an album. With tracks like ‘Maybe I Am’, ‘Waterfront Dance Club’ and the album closer, ‘Constant Resurrection’, it’s obvious that Funeral For A Friend are pushing for a hard yet melodic rock sound – and they actually manage to achieve that with considerable success. Making music that really separates the men from the boys where British rock is concerned, Funeral For A Friend have proved that they are definitely hulking great beasts of men with ‘Memory And Humanity’. Amidst all this raging testosterone, it appears that they also have a gentle and tender side. ‘Building’ is an acoustic ballad that really shows off the delicate side to Matt Davies’ exceptionally versatile voice. While we’re singling band members out for praise, particular mention must go to Ryan Richards for his incredible fills-within-fills drumming and ex-bassist Gareth Davies for his incredible bass work, his approach to playing bass as a lead instrument not too dissimilar to the late, great John Entwistle. The intro to ‘Constant Illustrations’ (not to be confused with ‘Constant Resurrection’) is a shining example of their work together, and it can only be hoped that this is a sound that new boy Gav Burrough can emulate and develop further with Ryan Richards, both on the live circuit and on their future recordings. One of the strongest tracks on the album is ‘Beneath The Burning Tree’. With its incessant drums, intricate guitars and the chant-along vocals ”Maybe I should, maybe I could, maybe I will”, this track is destined to be a firm live favourite amongst fans – both old and the plethora of new ones they’re going to get from the release of this album. The last time I awarded full marks to an album it was because it was an album of truly perfect pop. An album of truly perfect rock deserves nothing less.and Rocklouder gave it 5/5 here is a great danger for bands freeing themselves from the hungry clutches of their major record label to go it alone. There may not be anyone to say "That should be a single" or "Can you put in a few more catchy choruses", but there's also no one to say "That's an indulgent pile of c**p". Luckily, with fourth album, Memory And Humanity, Funeral for A Friend have nothing to worry about. Having gone in-depth (not meant to be a pun) with concept album Tales Don't Tell Themselves, the band have headed back towards previous releases, only the content now has more to it; their ability to create an instant connection with their fan-base remains their greatest strength - many tracks offer a myriad of meanings to relate to – but now the subject matter covers bolder matters of belief and abuse as well as the relationship-centric content we're used to, not to mention a number of tracks that can be related to leaving the Major Label game behind. If you don't care for that, then just accept how good these songs sound. Get your dancing shoes on for the irresistibly uplifting guitar of 'Beneath The Burning Tree'. Face the punishment of ludicrously heavy 'Constant Illuminations'. Be blown away by the dynamic shifts of 'Can't See The Forest for The Wolves'. Find yourself unable to resist singing along to (potential career best) 'Maybe I Am'. And come to the conclusion that if they haven’t started using 'Waterfront Danceclub' as their set opener by the end of the year they're clearly mad! In fact, average ballad 'Building' is the only moment on this record that isn’t a stone-cold stunner. Much has been made of a 'return' to Casually Dressed... but while we can see where this has come from, they have done no such thing. What they have done is far better. They have amalgamated everything from all their releases and produced what is definitively Funeral For A Friend. Bassist Gareth Daviesmay have left the band just before Memory And Humanity's release, but don't you think for a f*cking second that Funeral For A Friend are anywhere near done, because this confident, inspiring release is the best of their career. Phillip May I have only given it one full listen so far. thoughts?
October 19, 200816 yr I like it. It's definetley a step up from the awful 'Tales', but doesn't come close to the brilliant 'Casually' and 'Hours'.
October 19, 200816 yr Author :o your a sonic boom six fan? :o :o :o :o :o i have seen them twice, f***ing amazing. and back on topic... I think after quite a few listens i may perfer it too Hours. :o
October 19, 200816 yr I'd kill to see them live. I found out they were here in Nottingham a few weeks ago. I was so pissed.
October 19, 200816 yr Author I'd kill to see them live. I found out they were here in Nottingham a few weeks ago. I was so pissed. i first saw them at Reading fest 2006 i sort of just stumbled into the tent, i have been obsessed ever since, i saw them supporting reel Big Fish in Febuary and it was so fun i ripped my trousers.
October 19, 200816 yr Yeah, I read about them supporting RBF. I bet that was fun. Do you know if they're working on a new album?
October 19, 200816 yr Author RBF is proberly my best gig this year, 3 amazing bands (the other being streetlight manifesto who i also love) and the pits were so fun i literally devoured the clothes i was wearing. i dont think there planning a new release for a while but i can imagine they will start recording soon enough, they have just been so busy recently with mass touring.
October 19, 200816 yr streetlight manifesto <3 cool. i wanna go out and see them at some point. do you know what the next FFAF single is?
October 19, 200816 yr Author streetlight manifesto <3 cool. i wanna go out and see them at some point. do you know what the next FFAF single is? Streetlight Manifesto are one of my most favourite bands ever :D the horns are just too good. im hearing the next single may be 'Beneath the Burning Tree' but i find that werid as it was a b-side to Waterfront.
October 19, 200816 yr Author thats a hard one proberly have to say 'This Years Most Open Heartbreak' you?
October 20, 200816 yr Funeral For A Friend - Memory And Humanity 1 Rules And Games, 2 To Die Like Mouchette, 3 Kicking And Screaming, 4 Constant Illuminations, 5 Maybe I Am, 6 You Can't See The Forest For The Wolves, 7 Building, 8 Beneath The Burning Tree, 9 Someday The Fire, 10 Waterfront Dance, 11 Charlie Dont Surf, 12 Ghosts, 13 Constant Resurections http://www.chartstats.com/images/albums/13741.jpg Memory And Humanity is the Welsh band, Funeral For A Friend's fourth studio album and was released on the 13th of October 2008. The album was released with Join Us in the UK, Victory Records in the US/Canada and Roadrunner in the rest of the world. On January 26 2008, drummer, Ryan Richards made an announcement on the band's forum stating that FFAF were to spend the first few months of the year recording with a view of releasing a four or five tracks EP in March or April 2008. After writing more material than planned, the band decided to scrap plans for the EP and release a full length album instead, expected out in September 2008. Ryan also announced that the new album would contain harsh/screaming vocals, riffs and would be closer to Casually Dressed and Deep In Conversation than any of their albums, although it would still be significantly different and more technical, citing that they want to move forward and never back to any other style. Singles Released http://www.normanrecords.com/images/covers/d-thumbs/100403_thumb.jpg Waterfront Dance Club pwF__D4hKpY http://img132.hotlinkimage.com/thumb/178923524.jpeg Kicking And Screaming NCdSS122yUk Edited October 20, 200816 yr by 'Katherine'
October 20, 200816 yr im loving this album now, but still its no Seven Ways To Scream I actually have that miniture album and not this because I cant find it anywhere except on the internet. Which I suppose is enough since I've basically been listening the whole afternoon. :lol:
Create an account or sign in to comment