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As I looked at the title of the band Fear Before the March of Flames, the unwieldy name printed on the cover of “Odd How People Shake” I came to a sort of realization. The recent habit of naming bands after abstract sounding phrases seems to reveal more about the doldrums of the scene than first appears. Just like the band names seem to be composed of random words strung together, it seems more and more like these bands do the same thing with their sound.

In the case of FBTMOF, they seem to be gluing together their influences just the way they've glued together the name of the band. Each track seems to follow a telegraphed pattern; aggressive screamed opening, a slow down into a more melodic, indie rock influenced (and occasional spoken) place through the bridge, and back to the heavy screaming. While some of the tracks vary slightly on the simple formula - like “Girl's Got a Face Like Murder” which starts off slowly for a few seconds, and delays the inevitable screaming aggressive bit before returning to the safety of the formula.

While the band's bio heaps on the praise, comparing the band to such progressive luminaries like Converge, Botch and the Blood Brothers, the band does little to live up to the praise. In fairness, those comparisons are hard for anyone to live up to, but the height of the bar aside, there is little to single out the band period. A more honest biography might compare the band to their previous tour mates Dead Poetic, Anatomy of a Ghost, and a slightly less dynamic Blood Brothers.

I know that some people are critical of reviews because there is so much emphasis placed on world changing originality, but ask yourself why you'd want an imitation when the original is in the next aisle? I certainly don't feel that there is anything calculated about the band's attempt; I'm sure they are sincere in their musical endeavors, but for all their sound and fury, there is little to separate them from the increasingly large and homogenous pack. The wealth of interesting influences throughout Odd How People Shake suggests a promising future, but this record isn't it.



People who liked this also liked:
Bear Vs Shark - TerrorhawkTaking Back Sunday - Tell All Your FriendsBrand New - Deja EntenduFear Before - The Always Open MouthBrand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside MeMy Chemical Romance - I Brought You My Bullets You Brought Me Your LovePretty Girls Make Graves - Good HealthMinus The Bear - Menos El OsoThe Raveonettes - Whip It OnBright Eyes - Fevers And Mirrors



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    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 9:34 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    sing it sister, this band SUCKS.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 24, 2005 at 11:50 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    internet radio is soo cool http://www.casino-los-angeles.com/doliyoli/casino-directory-2005. html

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 12:50 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    fbtmof rocks my cock

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 11:04 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I just got back from seeing these guys on the Underoath tour &they by far blew every band out of water.

    Amazing stuff.

    -Zach

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 7, 2005 at 11:20 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    The people that gave these guys a bad review never opened their ears enough to listen, nor did they read the lyrics. These guys are amazing and have their OWN unique sound. Other bands might in some way sound alike, but in no way does that mean they ripped off the other band. So for those who say these guys are unoriginal think again. In fact I have 2 odd how people shake CD's, because I like them so much. Well actually it was because they said there was going to be other stuff on the re-released CD, but I didn't hear or see anything different. It's all good though because I supported the band. FBTMOF OWNS YOU...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at 3:52 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    was the EVR version rerecorded or something? because this song (not sure of the name ) that my friend has on his computer, the screams sound better, and the same song that i have, has really shitty screaming.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 at 11:16 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    this band maybe arent the most origonal around, but they do a good job with what they do

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 1, 2004 at 7:10 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this review is shit. this cd rocks

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 10, 2004 at 9:31 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i love this cd. you have to give it some fucking time. i bought it without even listeing to it. at first i hated it but kept listeing and i grew to love them. even if they do sound like the blodd brothers, how many abnds do you know play "spazz-core". listen to the lyrics, these guys are really good and REALLY underated. and they were awsome live. killed me.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 15, 2004 at 1:20 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this is one of the most well written reviews i have ever read. kudos
    randomdipshit

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 6:22 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Haha yeah, it's like the Mad Caddies' cover, except that nobody wanted to associate themselves with this shitty music, so the band had to use cardboard cut-outs instead."

    Yeah...because I'm sure those people who were obviously photographed in the 1940's/50's knew that their photographs would be associated with such groundbreaking music as the Mack Daddies.... I mean Mad Caddies.........

    my cat comes up with worse band names in his sleep

    Posted by Romeo on 2004-04-12 21:57:08
    My Score:

    I always think Refused when I see this bands name

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 4:57 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i like it

    Posted by inagreendase on 2004-04-12 16:54:42
    My Score:

    I really like this CD but can see where you're coming from.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 2:35 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i like the title of this cd

    Posted by ForrestLaw on 2004-04-12 13:01:03
    My Score:

    the band isn't bad, it's just old. all of it is old, old, OLD. can we try something else now? i think that's what people are trying to say.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 11, 2004 at 4:13 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i happen to think this band is amazing. they are very similar to botch but more pop influence and they are amazing live. just amazing. check them out this summer and then you'll shut the hell up.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 7:59 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Haha yeah, it's like the Mad Caddies' cover, except that nobody wanted to associate themselves with this shitty music, so the band had to use cardboard cut-outs instead.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 4:41 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Woops...
    I LOVE this band. Not live.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 4:40 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I live this band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 11:01 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    here's to agreeing with the reviewer, these guys suck

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 1:03 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    mad caddies are sweet, but this holiday has been canceled for Fear Before the March of Flames. their flight has been delayed and their baggage is very abundant. shIza.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 12:49 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    cover art...mad caddies anyone?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 11:56 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    They're fucking awesome.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 10:30 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I wasn't actually comparing these guys to Refused, just saying that I think that they will get better as they mature as artists.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 9:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    they got on my nerves, it was pure work too listen to this cd..no fun given

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 9:06 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the music itself isn't too bad. but the vocals aren't too good.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 8:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I myself can't really find myself listening to this much on cd, but these guys are somethin' else live. I heard the new demos too, and if you thought it was decent but void of some elements you wish that were there, they have 'em in the new songs. This album definitely doesn't do the band justice like their live show does.

    - Allular

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2004-04-09 19:41:58
    My Score:

    This band is good for a few songs, but I could never imagine owning an entire cd. The Arrivals however, are worth that.

    Tekken is good, but Street Fighter and Soul Calibur are always better.

    Songs To Fan The Flames Of Discontent is an 8, The Shape Of Punk To Come is a 10. This album is a 4 or 5. Nope.

    I hear that they're good live.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 7:27 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    tekken owns you son, eddie gordo says so bitch.

    -Forrest Law

    Posted by yellowtrash on 2004-04-09 17:44:46
    My Score:

    The song from Equalvision makes this band a total Botch rip off with some singing. This is unaspiring and boring. The vocals are pretty weak too. The singing is OK but the "growls" doesn't have any impact.

    Posted by Jesse on 2004-04-09 17:37:11
    My Score:

    It's not bad. I like the band name and the album title and song names. Shows a little bit more effort than most bands these days. I can definitely pick out the influences. I agree whole heartedly with the review. I'd like to see what they put out later on. It's like Refused. Sure "Songs to Fan the Flame of Discontent" was GOOD, but "The Shape of Punk to Come" is just fucking amazing. I'd like to hear this band's "The Shape of Punk to Come," if they ever put one out.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 5:36 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I disagree with this review as well. I think it's a pretty good cd. The review was well written though, so at least I can understand why Aubin doesn't like it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 5:25 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "I totally disagree with this review. To me, this band is incredibly original. I haven't really heard any hardcore who managed to pull of anything close to what they do, save the blood brothers. This cd made my top 10 of last year (the original release on Rise)."

    You're an idiot.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 5:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Score is for Tekken, that game is so overrated.

    Posted by ilikebandssuchasopivy on 2004-04-09 16:35:36
    My Score:

    The band name and cover art says it all.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 3:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I totally disagree with this review. To me, this band is incredibly original. I haven't really heard any hardcore who managed to pull of anything close to what they do, save the blood brothers. This cd made my top 10 of last year (the original release on Rise). I know they used to be pop-punk band, and they get alot of shit for that, but everyobody went through their pop-punk stage.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 3:17 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This isn't bad, but it's nowhere near as good as the Challenger CD.

    p.s. Lei is better than Law - and Nina better than both of them.

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2004-04-09 14:49:46
    My Score:

    theres a review of this album by inagreendase here

    ive been wanting to check this out for a while..

    Posted by sloppyblake on 2004-04-09 14:39:00
    My Score:

    these guys use to be in a band called 36flip. they played pop punk like mest and student rick.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 2:30 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    agreed.

    -Forrest Law

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 2:27 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Has anyone written or submitted a Pulley review? If not, I'll get to it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 2:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Good review...I have seen them a ton around here in Denver, but I just had to say one thing. The bands name actually came from a headline in the Rocky Mountain News (or the Denver Post, I am not sure). It was about the huge wildfires we had around here a couple of summers ago, and the front page headline said "Fear Before the March of Flames." Yep.