Funeral For A Friend - Memory and Humanity (Mean Street - October 2008)

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

Memory and Humanity

(Victory)

Release date: Oct. 13

Funeral For A Friend is a favorite amongst the U.K. crowds and their latest release may finally be the one that should turns heads. Much of their sound revolves around frontman Mat Davies’ big melodic vocals, along with a catchy, guitar riff-oriented style that falls somewhere between post-hardcore and melodic indie rock. The catchy, ’80s guitar melody of “Beneath the Burning Tree” will connect instantly with fans of the modern emo and pop-punk craze. “Kicking and Screaming” sticks to a standard melodic riff rock sound that longtime fans will love. For older fans, there are edgier-sounding songs here such as “Rules and Games” and “Waterfront Dance Club.” This record may be their most melodic and mature-sounding release to date, and the big break the band had been seeking for a while.

Grade: A-
REI NISHIMOTO