Funeral For A Friend /|\ Memory And Humanity (2008)

Funeral For A Friend
Memory And Humanity (2008)
Genre: Alternative/Post-Hardcore/Emo

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 Club
11. Charlie Don't Surf
12. Ghosts
13. Constant Resurrections

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.

-Heather Wainwright(themusicmagazine.co.uk)

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