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Falling Forward

Hand Me Down (1994)
Initial Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: The Tommunist
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on May 25th 2004

Everyone knows Elliott, the recently deceased post-hardcore/emo band from Louisville. Chris Higdon's soft, smooth voice was instantly recognizable and lent itself very well to the mellow, almost atmospheric music. But behind the cuddly sound of Elliott lay sometime akin to a certain Bruce Banner's condition. Chris Higdon had the potential to explode into THE INCREDIBLE HULK OF EMO and/or INDIE ROCK! Well, not really, but in years prior to Elliott, Higdon sang in Falling Forward, with a sound that was not quite as sugary sweet as Elliott’s. These ten songs make up the band’s only full album, but they give us a look at a younger, angrier Chris Higdon.

Falling Forward was one of the forerunners in the mid-nineties development of post-hardcore, or emo, or whatever you want to call it. However, unlike what passes as emo today, Falling Forward took the elements of the early pioneers such as Rites of Spring, and expanded on them with their own ideas, resulting in something that is at times punk, at times reminiscent of hardcore, and at times even sounds proto-Elliott. What we have here is the soft/loud juxtapose, the thrashy, powerful, yet melodic guitar playing, and the gut wrenching honesty sung in both quiet whispers and aggravated screaming. Take “Sire”, for instance. It starts with a soft melody of an intro and quiet singing over the music, but with each passing verse, the music gets darker, edgier, and Higdon goes from singing to yelling, and the song just explodes with energy.

Looking over the lyrics, we have beautifully written songs about betrayal, worth, and hurt. Higdon uses simple yet powerful words to express his inner feelings. Unlike Elliott though, which features more uplifting, positive lyrics, Falling Forward tends to lean more towards negative embitterment. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He’s been hurt, and he is pissed off about it. He is angry, but luckily we avoid the whole “I'll kill you bitch” motif that some newer bands seem to have adopted.

In the end, though not perfect, Falling Forward's only full length album is a great album, showcasing both Chris Higdon's pre-Elliott creative output and bringing us back to a time when emo didn’t just refer to watered down false emotion prevalent in today's hot bands that all the kids are going gaga over. You know who you are.

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Benjamine (May 16, 2005)

This album is so awesome!! This review is awesome! Great review! If you're an overly crazed Elliott fan, then you should like this! Afterall, this is the band where they started from. Falling Forward is awesome. I haven't had the chance to buy this yet, since it's really hard to find where to buy it, but I've heard samples of the other songs on the album. Plus, I have Character, Natal, and all those other songs on the Xbox game, Amped. So, if you have an Xbox-buy Amped, and Amped2. Best freakin' soundtracks ever!

Anonymous (March 31, 2005)

The best two songs on this album are the first one and the third one. The rare acoustic7 inch album was perfect. If you can find it, it's called "christiansan spring" or summer, I forget.

Anonymous (May 26, 2004)

classic hardcore from the 90s, if you like this band, check out DESPAIR from the same era, it features the Scott from TERROR on vocals.

Anonymous (May 26, 2004)

I like it when people write or say "I'm a rather large ____ fan", like you're an overweight fan of _______. The idea of a fat Elliot fan is funny to me.

Anonymous (May 26, 2004)

I have this album already.

some1 (May 26, 2004)

I do like Elliot, but not nearly as much as Falling Forward.

you should check this out. it's not as mellow as Elliot, but you would probably like it.

maverick (May 26, 2004)

To all who like this-

Do you like Elliott, as well? I'm a rather large Elliott fan, and my love is pretty even between all three of their albums. Would I dig this CD?

-Scott

logan (May 26, 2004)

i really enjoyed this review.. it was pretty straight to the point.

anyway, this album serously kicks ass and im glad to see that someone took the time to review this... it's an important record.

boba_fett (May 25, 2004)

i remember when i first heard this album... i was blown away. it rocks your socks off.

some1 (May 25, 2004)

oh man. this album is seriously amazing.

Anonymous (May 25, 2004)

Remember that movie where the dude who played Batman cloned himself. Then the clones cloned themselves. By the fourth time around the clone was retarded. Well Falling Forward was Michael Keaton number 1. Today's Warped Tour faux hardcore and emo set should tour from city to city on a short tour bus.

pastepunk (May 25, 2004)

wow, I didn't expect to see this release ever mentioned on any webzine - this one landed in my lap due to some mix up in the early days of Revelation Records' mailorder services. It was like a blessing in disguise... a very important release that hits just as poignantly now as it did way back when.