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| FaultlinesTravelogue2004 Action Heights 
 Review by: Brian See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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 Published on July 16th 2004 Like Braid on an indie rock overhaul, you’ll probably find yourself using terms like “yearning,” “angular,” “driving,” and perhaps even “rocking” in listening to Faultlines’ Travelogue. There’s an honest plead of desperation in the vocals that reminds me of The Ghost quite often as he yells over snarling, tick-tock guitars and commanding drum lines. While every song carries a distinctly different feel and orchestration, its cohesiveness stays intact. Although a better opener could’ve been chosen over the instrumental “Modern Traveler,” which feels more akin to a mid-album track, everything else seems to fit well, even the six-and-a-half-minute “Sirens and Sailors,” stuck right in the middle. “Upon Deaf Ears” is the best example of the explosive, upbeat, rhythmic-in-a-Hot Water Music sense that the band is capable of, though. They aren’t big on typical verse-chorus structure for most of the album, but they apply it on this song, and it results in an emotional, tempo-breaking declaration that could very well be the highlight of the CD. It’s really the track-to-track transitions and lyrics that are both noteworthy in helping connecting the album amongst itself. Sometimes an abrupt drum fill will immediately open a following song, and sometimes a quick, ear-catching riff, but whatever it is, it connects the tracks nicely. The art of not necessarily concept albums, but rather a connecting theme seems to be lost on a lot of full-lengths these days, which is why it’s nice to hear the band actually try and provide it after challenging themselves with the title. Addressing empty roads and beaten paths (both literally and metaphorically), the band provides this journal as a backdrop to both inquisitive thought and pseudo-psychological insight. I know it seems like I already made a comparison like this one that name-dropped in eerily similar ways, but the difference here is, Faultlines is making it work. Not spectacularly, but they’re making it work. They’re fairly sure of a direction, and not only do they actually try to move in it, but it’s one that strives as a challenge for originality. At just under fifty minutes, it’s definitely ambitious for a first effort, but with a little cleanup in the production department and just a little more focus, they could definitely wow with their sophomore stab. MP3 The Grand March STREAM Midcity Silhouette Upon Deaf Ears AugtenPlease login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
Aside from the whelps' annoying voices and typical Indie-Rock fare, this album is completely underwhelming. It is stuff like this that makes me wonder why I was ever born. There are many injustices in the world today, this is by far the foremost of them all. If only the medium this was on could cause sufficient lacerations as to bleed me to death, then it would be worth it. about the only local iowa band I can stand. They got better over time, and they play nice live. Scott I was waiting for you to review this one, or wait, are you disqualified since you get a thank you in the liner notes? But really, these guys are great, got to support the fellow '04 Iowa alums. these guys are alright, I lke the sound of the guitars but the vox turn me off, way too typical sounding. the 10 is for the cover - it makes me think of some Mexicans selling lifted shit out the back of a van. I would walk by and one would say "Hey mang, what choo doing mang. You want to buy this stereo for your sheavey mang?" Mutha fuckin' Iowa represent bitch! Honestly, it's this or Slipknot...and I'm no maggot... This album is a bunch of solid songs hindered by not-so-solid production. Remember when this band was on MP3 of the Week? Yeah.... |
