Album: Memory and Humanity
Label: Join Us
Release date: 13th October 2008
I was a big fan of Funeral for a Friend‘s first full-length, Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation (Ferret, 2003). I didn’t have any particular objection to the more melodic sound of Hours (Atlantic, 2005), but it was the raw passion and technical energy of CD&DIC that opened my eyes to the alternative music scene in the UK when I bought it on a whim in a train-station branch of HMV all those years ago. And, as I also commented in a recent entry, FFAF’s last album (2007′s Tales Don’t Tell Themselves) was fairly flat and uninspiring alt. rock.
So, when I saw the band in interview claiming that their next release would be closer in style to the first album, I found myself hoping that this would be their redemption after a low-point in their history. The album is due out tomorrow, and I can now bring you the scoop on Memory and Humanity, the band’s third full-length and their first on Join Us Records, their own label.
There has certainly been a change in style from the last two records: the harsher riffs, carefully-worked guitar melodies, and frenzied drumming are thankfully back in vogue. The net result is that it sounds far more technically impressive than previous releases. Lead single “Kicking and Screaming” is fairly radio-friendly fare, and there are one or two slightly anachronistic semi-acoustic interludes: “Charlie Don’t Surf” is particularly guilty in this respect. They got it right with “Your Revolution is a Joke”, back in the day, but the sound doesn’t particularly thrill me here.
The songwriting on Memory and Humanity is perhaps some of the best I’ve heard from the band. There’s a lucidity and strength to lyrics like “my love is exploitation/not a passing celebration/and I don’t want to feel like a part of history” that demonstrates obvious skill in the writing.
Despite my earlier criticisms, there are moments when the old, energetic FFAF shine through:, and it suddenly feels like a completely different record. “Waterfront Dance Club” is a prime example, and one of the highlights of the album, with its fantastic guitar melody. So too with “Someday The Fire…” and “Ghosts”: the heavier riffs and more powerful delivery from [vocalist] Matt Davies increase the album’s appeal instantly.
Unfortunately, in my eyes, the vocals are one of Memory and Humanity‘s weakest aspects, thanks to the absence of the harsh vocals from earlier releases. Although I like Davies’ singing – he possesses an undeniably strong voice – the duality between clean and dirty vocals was one of the things that made Seven Ways To Scream Your Name (Ferret, October 2003) and Casually Dressed… so enjoyable to listen to.
In a way, I badly want to like this album. Memory and Humanity has definite moments of greatness, where the band’s musical talent and poetic ability ensure that it’s interesting to listen to. Sadly, however, it’s still lacking in some areas. FFAF haven’t quite regained the aggression and passion that really captured me the first time around. This is not a weak album, and it’s a fairly satisfying listen, but unfortunately, there are times when it just doesn’t quite deliver what I was looking for.
Our Arbitrary Numerical Verdict:
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Marcus Kernohan is the founder and editor-in-chief of Stereokill.net. Email him at 
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