(SORE POINT RECORDS)
Fucking hell. Further Seems Forever are amazing.
Here�s a band who are thankfully sitting on the fence when it comes to producing Emo music and, as they sit on the fence, both pain and pleasure abound.
When they tend towards the conventional sound of Emo and rock out, the energy is hot enough to start an inferno let alone a fire (as on �The Sound� and melodic �Pride War�), but these guys come into their own with their awe-inspiring ability to be truly sensitive and achingly so in their more reflective numbers such as the intriguingly titled �On Legendary,� as a heart-stopping piano trickle underpins the free flowing and zee frank emotions evoked by the lyrics. As well as writing timeless songs, some of their song titles live up to their content too as �A Blank Page Empire� is reflective and affecting and reminiscent of singer-songwriter Chris Mills� sound.
Still, the final track of these 10 is the one track you have to wait around for. Simply, it�s a must-hear masterpiece and called �Aurora Boreals.� Again, this is rather mellow and focuses on the awesome voice of young frontman Jason Gleason that is the perfect tonic in ensuring its epic nature. How the hell they end up sounding as though they�re an Emo band on the verge of Americana and shaking hands with the Counting Crows� song-producing techniques I�ll never know, but they do, and the hauntingly tender and high scaling voice might even remind of Coldplay and Radiohead as this burst of experimental Emo is so so so so refreshing and exciting and overwhelmingly sensitive you seriously can�t hear this band and this album and then dismiss the true talent therein that�s exerted in both.
The moment Jason sings �Cut out my eyes to spite my heart� is one of those spine-chilling, eye-widening moments that slices straight to the bone and reminds me of the very first time I heard David Bowie sing his �Sweet Thing� so passionately, singing straight from the heart as though his life depended on the feelings vented within the song.
This album follows-up 2001�s �The Moon Is Down,� and for you stark raving sad fact fans out there � get this! 1/ The band�s original singer was none other than Dashboard Confessional�s Chris Carraba. And 2/ Further Seems Forever hit the road around the UK in October �03 with ace band Thursday.
I could honestly listen to Further Seems Forever to infinity and beyond. They may sound Emo and act Emo in places, yet the defining fact remains that there is actually very little anger or angst striking forth. Moreover, the bulk of �How To Start A Fire� is sweet and quite passive.
Whatever, you have to hear this album as soon as humanly possible. Honestly, it could save your soul. 5/5 (STEVE RUDD)
Release Date: October 13th 2003