Punknews.org

|
Sign In | create an account

The Fall Of Troy

The Fall Of Troy (2003)
Lujo Records

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

Contributed by: 7ThereIsLifeInThis7
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 13th 2004

The Fall of Troy is composed of three teenagers from Washington state, who can not only play their instruments, but can play their instruments within the context of good songwriting. This self titled record is one filled with guitar work that holds its own even at the highest standard (I’m talking at times Botch).

The tempo varies throughout the album, but unlike many bands, they don’t try to create noise simply for the sake of doing so. The tracks on this self titled debut are chalk-full of melody, harmony, and grooving rhythms. The clean vocals of singer/guitarist Thomas Erak are recorded with an interesting style that almost seems distant at times, which is consistent with the guitar driven writing. However, the vocal lines are not neglected, and the band even writes a couple songs that have catchy (almost commercial) choruses. The bass lines and screams are pumped out by Timothy Ward, who actually keeps up with his talented counterpart quite easily. The album features a lot of screaming, which trades off quite pleasantly with the clean vocals. The singing/screaming combination is becoming more and more played out, but I have absolutely no problems with the combination on this album, because the screaming is within context, not forced (as it is in 99% of cases), and the transitions are not choppy (for the best transitions of all time, see Saetia).

Honestly, I do not have many harsh criticisms of this album. The main one being the band’s potential to grow in their songwriting. While high quality, it does give off an ever so slight freshman effort vibe. Part of that may be due to the fact that the band recorded the album in virtually all single takes. The second criticism is not really a problem with the band itself, but with many people who will not care for the band simply because of the genre of music they play. This genre of music is becoming overcrowded with bands, but I say assuredly, the Fall of Troy stands out. Since I was the only person in paid attendance at their first show in Los Angeles, I can say without dispute that the Fall of Troy is every bit as good live.

I enjoyed this album greatly, one of my favorites of 2003.

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.

What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Anonymous (February 24, 2006)

The fall of troy is fucking kick ass!!!!!

Anonymous (September 5, 2005)

"better than a trojan horse filled with spartans"

also better than a trojan condom filled with semen

Anonymous (June 23, 2005)

The quaility coulda been better...then I read that they did it all in single takes. If you've ever recorded before, you'll know how tough to do that really is. Overall a great album by some extremely sick kids. I have heard a bunch of bands, to say that they (TFOT) are ripping other bands off is insane. I would like someone to give me examples, and not just "uh, it kinda sounds like..." B.S. either. Or you can just save face and realize you were wrong.

Anonymous (April 5, 2005)

about my comment down there yes i do know they were done by Lujo but i heard they moved to Equal Vision not long ago, either way im sure their work with EV will be good

Anonymous (April 4, 2005)

Hmm well I think these guys Kikass most bands signed onto Equal Vision do. Im not tryin to start a fight here but about the "so many bands sound like this etc" that kinda of shit...well i guess its cuz they like that brand of music, ur not going to start a band and try to be original and invent ur own type of music if u dont want to. u write music you like...thats my point of view anyways

Anonymous (February 18, 2005)

better than a trojan horse filled with spartans

Anonymous (January 31, 2005)

get this cd be happy and dont talk

Anonymous (January 31, 2005)

this band is good dont care how they act i play in a band and i am a ass because most people are

Anonymous (August 31, 2004)

Get out your air guitar, this band will make you wanna rock out. I got a couple of odd looks from people that saw me doing this in my cubicle at work. It was worth it though. It's times like these that I wish I had a mullet. Then you're rocking out 24/7 even if you're just standing there checking for holes in your jeans. YEAH!

Anonymous (August 31, 2004)

I just started playing guitar and I've been trying to develop my style around Sublime, Alexisonfire, Bad Religion and The Fall of Troy. This album made me buy that guitar. I kind of swore off learning chords for a while and focused just on quick finger movements. Now I'm learning chords and I think not learning them was a great way to start. Maybe I'm just wierd.
It's kind of like learning to snowboard and instead of working on your carving just going and trying to slide a rail. Learn the basics, have some fun, then giv'er all you got. Whoah, commenting about Fall of Troy. Yah, they're on fire.

DFelon204409 (August 26, 2004)

I think it's funny that people are claiming they are ripping off other bands. Which bands would that be? All I can think of is Hot Cross and The Fall of Troy is technically better than Hot Cross so even if it's derivative, I'll take this insanity any day. (Though I do love my Hot Cross).

Anonymous (July 29, 2004)

this album is alright seeing how they ripped off alot of riffs, and its very crazy how much they do. I loved them, not that much. but still think they have potential plus kick ass live.

Anonymous (July 1, 2004)

It's a bummer cos you will probably never check this, but what do you mean?

Anonymous (June 29, 2004)

the album is amazing, but unfortunately the attitude of the people in the band sucks. After playing with them and talking with them I found them to be the cockiest group of kids I have ever met. So cocky in fact the people at the club (in their home town) really had negative things to say about them. Not to be cliche or contradictory, but, don't get me wrong. They are really really talented. It is just unfortunate that they are the way they are. In fact I think that their attitude will put a damper on their carrer, but if they change it they will be huge.

Anonymous (June 25, 2004)

go see them live before criticizing bitches, they will kick your ass!!!

Anonymous (February 18, 2004)

You should have probably read the whole comment before bitching.

Anonymous (February 17, 2004)

"radio-friendly-screamy-alternative-rock"

worst description i've ever heard. i guess music is only good if they curse?
anyway...

this band is good. i really want to buy this album.

-greyicewater

Katie4213 (February 16, 2004)

i love this band!

Anonymous (February 16, 2004)

these guys are cool live!! plus you cant beat the band name..

Anonymous (February 15, 2004)

adelaide's the fall of troy was better.

Anonymous (February 14, 2004)

The point is not that they sound similiar or are bad bands (I don't think they are at all), but that they had a similiarly large impact on the development of other bands and spawned a fuckload of rip-offs.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

what is wrong with thrice and thursday?
I think they are both very good bands. And you fucks need to stop acting like they sounds similar, they sound very different. Just because their names start with "th" and they both recently signed to island and they like to tour together doesnt mean anything.

FortyMinutesWest (February 13, 2004)

I read a review for this band on another site, and ended up buying this. Good review, highly recommended.

poopypants (February 13, 2004)

is this that band with brad pitt in it? faggots!

stratmanx (February 13, 2004)

I went to high school with these guys, fucking awesome album and even better live show.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

I listened to this without any expectations ("they are like a very technical but boring emocore band") and was totally blown away. Some songs are indeed very catchy and sound almost like the "radio-friendly-screamy-alternative-rock" we all hate so much (thanks Thriceday), but the album manages not to get boring at any point.
Personal suprise of 2003.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

I know these guys. Thier gutarist is piiiimp.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

I was thinking as I clicked on the review that the band name was good actually.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

band names just keep getting worse by the day