Facing New York

Facing New York: Facing New YorkFacing New York (2005)
Five One, Inc.

Reviewer Rating: 4

Contributed by: SteveJonesTheRealBonesSteveJonesTheRealBones
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on September 13th 2005If you're not listening to Facing New York, you're missing out on the best thing out there right now. It kills me every time I read that quote, which is from one of the ads Punknews.Org runs on the top of the page (at least, at the time that I'm writing this). It kills me, not because I don't agree.

If you're not listening to Facing New York, you're missing out on the best thing out there right now.

It kills me every time I read that quote, which is from one of the ads Punknews.Org runs on the top of the page (at least, at the time that I'm writing this). It kills me, not because I don't agree (maybe I would say "one of the best," since contrary to popular belief, there is still a ton of great music out there), but because it is a quote by a dude from Taking Back Sunday. Don't let that turn you off of this band, as they sound nothing like TBS (or maybe you haven't even noticed the quote and I should have never pointed it out).

Facing New York is the best guitar-driven prog-pop-rock with keyboards band out there right now. What the eff does that mean? It means Mars Volta Lite, but without the annoying high-pitched singing. The singer does have a very distinct voice, though, that might not be for everyone. The only way that I can describe it is flat without actually being flat, kind of nasally, and completely charming.

This album flows like a beautiful river going from slow and building to fast and powerful and then back again, and they pull it off without a hitch. Anyone who is familiar with the band's first two EPs might be initially disappointed to find that about half of the songs on here are on the slow side, as I was. But I couldn't have been more wrong in my disappointment; although I do love when this band tends to get a little more aggro ("Javelina" and "Fly On The Wall"), the wonderful ambience of "Butterfly Clock" and the comforting Christmas feel of "Apple Sugar Cider" are equally as satisfying.

Lyrically, the singer hints that this band is ready for a change of life. They are ready to take their music and tackle the world. It goes along with the music and even the band's name perfectly. I don't really know how they chose Facing New York as their name, but to me, knowing that this band is from San Francisco, it just shows that they are preparing themselves for a journey. They are ready for a challenge, and they are figuratively and literally facing New York. This band is ready for great things, and this debut makes it clear.

Listen Here

P.S. Yes, I stole Mars Volta Lite from that elitist snobby reviewer Jesse, and yes I called him out on it in his review, but after I heard this new album, I had to agree. But you can't just say Mars Volta Lite without commenting on the vocals.

P.P.S . This review was kinda cheesy, sorry.

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.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (April 23, 2006)

The self-titled CD kicks their EP's balls, hard. Only No. and Claim/Subclaim have decent replayability. I can not stop listening to this CD. 1 daily, twice occasionally. Even Tip of the Iceberg can be appreciated when you get into Frederic's metaphor. Emo lyrics can be appreciated too. And one review said that They can't touch Mars Volta because their "concept" is old and done before....unoriginal. Should they really appologize for writing lyrics that make sense to people not high on acid? anyway...my final word is.... Classic.

Anonymous (April 17, 2006)

fny has an amazing live show its definatley one of the best ive seen in quite sometime. i beleive they have a unique sound they have so many parts that remind of so many bands like the weakerthans and further seem forever. i think they have qwirky emo lyrics kind of like armor for sleeps first album dream to make believe. facing new york is amazing to say the least

Anonymous (March 2, 2006)

This CD freaking rocks bought it the day it came out. Not as good as the Swimming Not Treadding CD but still a great assorment of music they covered all the bases with this one.

Anonymous (February 7, 2006)

mars volta lite? please, they mayb be one of facing new york's influences, but FNY has a very clear distinct sound. I listen to the volta alllll the time, and I had never even compared them to them until i read your review (which was great except for the mars volta lite thing). but i know you didn't even come up with that cheezy comparison so i cannot blame you. FNY deserves to be in a catgegory all by themselves: awesomnessshit

Anonymous (September 15, 2005)

"doesnt this band say some shit bout there tennis shoes in a song...thats when i hit the stop button n never listened 2 it again...any1 that wheres tennis shoes for fun should be killed...say im ignorant i dont care this band is a bunch of kniving assholes..who at warped 2004 went around on the line telling grls they were a really big band and signing there tits n shit..fucking scumbags!"

i think you have the wrong band dude....plus tennis shoes is a generic term. it doesnt mean shoes for tennis only. tennis shoes is like saying sneakers

Anonymous (September 15, 2005)

doesnt this band say some shit bout there tennis shoes in a song...thats when i hit the stop button n never listened 2 it again...any1 that wheres tennis shoes for fun should be killed...say im ignorant i dont care this band is a bunch of kniving assholes..who at warped 2004 went around on the line telling grls they were a really big band and signing there tits n shit..fucking scumbags!

stevejonestherealbones (September 15, 2005)

"They've got the split EP with Amity, an EP called Swimming, not Treading, and the Full Turn single."

exactly. he got picky for me saying two EPs, when one was a split not an ep. then he said they have a few splits and singles.

one split and one single are not a few splits and singles.

i only got picky because he did

- jones the bones

BeaArthur (September 15, 2005)

"they only have one split EP and one single...not a few"

They've got the split EP with Amity, an EP called Swimming, not Treading, and the Full Turn single.

stevejonestherealbones (September 14, 2005)

1. Mars Volta Lite is Circa Survive NOT FNY... FNY is a sound of its own. I think that Dismemberment Plan/Zep/police analogy is better
2. Facing New York is based on a character in some novel that is really idealistic and honorable, etc. and he goes to New York and faces a lot of problems but manages to deal with those problems in an uplifting fashion
3. FNY only has one EP NOT 2, however they do have a few singles and splits out.
4.Go buy this cd if you haven't already. its delicious

1. geeze, have you been calling circa survive mars volta lite? if not, then circa survive is NOT mars volta lite cause j dog already coined that shit for FNY.

3. this is just splitting hairs now, i mean, it was a split EP. so i just said 2 EPs. besides if you want to get all technical, they only have one split EP and one single...not a few

but thanks for the info of point 2

and i dont think anyone should argue with point 4

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (September 14, 2005)

"the lyrics for this album aren't online anywhere. how about someone who owns it submit the lyrics to plyrics or some shit"

how about you buy the album

--------------------------------

because i don't get paid until the 27th

Anonymous (September 14, 2005)

"the lyrics for this album aren't online anywhere. how about someone who owns it submit the lyrics to plyrics or some shit"

how about you buy the album

Anonymous (September 14, 2005)

the lyrics for this album aren't online anywhere. how about someone who owns it submit the lyrics to plyrics or some shit

Anonymous (September 14, 2005)

this album and band are awesome as balls.

and yea i agree with that guy below, they don't really sound like "mars volta lite", they remind me more of The Dismemberment Plan, and No Kill No Beep Beep - era Q and Not U

Anonymous (September 14, 2005)

that was the TBS guy who was in the movie life a while back right?

AlmostPunkEnough (September 14, 2005)

that review was as bad as your asinine comments on 99.9% of the topics on this site.

yea jones, you only make non-asinine comments on 0.1% of topics.

also, to the idiot who wrote that, please get a sense of humor.

P.S. I LOVE SPROG!!!

Icapped2pac (September 13, 2005)

Score's for proofreading.... I mean, who doesn't like sprog?

Icapped2pac (September 13, 2005)

This is the first band I've heard labeled "prog" that I've ever liked (Mars Volta makes me vomit), so if you don't think of yourself as somebody who like sprog, check these guys out anyway. Then stick your finger in your belly button and then smell it.

Anonymous (September 13, 2005)

"f you're not listening to Facing New York, you’re missing out on the best thing out there right now."

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

Anonymous (September 13, 2005)

Couple of things
1. Mars Volta Lite is Circa Survive NOT FNY... FNY is a sound of its own. I think that Dismemberment Plan/Zep/police analogy is better
2. Facing New York is based on a character in some novel that is really idealistic and honorable, etc. and he goes to New York and faces a lot of problems but manages to deal with those problems in an uplifting fashion
3. FNY only has one EP NOT 2, however they do have a few singles and splits out.
4.Go buy this cd if you haven't already. its delicious
~Colossal Bandit~

Anonymous (September 13, 2005)

that review was as bad as your asinine comments on 99.9% of the topics on this site.
choke on mustard gas you hack.

Inspection12e (September 13, 2005)

It's a grower and Jones is an obvious fanboy but it doesn't change the fact that this is a solid release.

stevejonestherealbones (September 13, 2005)

this was a fucking homosexual review. a beautiful river? come the fuck on.....cliched fag

hey, just be prepared for the slow tracks if you are used to the bands old EPs . thats all i got to say

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (September 13, 2005)

at least the review wasn't something like that other douche on this site does...

"facing new york. new york is the biggest city in the united states. when i was in new york, i ate a hot dog. that brings us to the album"

who is that guy? anyway, stupid fucking reviewer.

Anonymous (September 13, 2005)

I could only bear to listen to a few tracks, but I must say this sounds more like Motion Shitty Soundtrack than the Mars Volta.

pastepunk (September 13, 2005)

Facing New York is the best guitar-driven prog-pop-rock with keyboards band out there right now. What the eff does that mean? It means Mars Volta Lite, but without the annoying high-pitched singing. The singer does have a very distinct voice, though, that might not be for everyone. The only way that I can describe it is flat without actually being flat, kind of nasally, and completely charming.

---

Quality review, but I'd argue that GOSPEL have a leg-up on this band concerning the guitar-driven prog thing. Nonetheless, this band has talent and poise in abundance...

LMChc (September 13, 2005)

jones the bones, do more reviews

no bullshit intro

and significantly less slaps in the face with the "i'm more musically cultured" cock

maverick (September 13, 2005)

This record's pretty good, and this band's website is incredible. One of the most interactive, fluid websites I've ever used. Definitely play around with it a while.

Oh, and in case you're wondering: There is no growling on this Facing New York release.

Anonymous (September 13, 2005)

i hate jesse

BeaArthur (September 13, 2005)

Score's for what they've released previously.

First, I wish their present tour was taking them to Canada.

Second, I ordered this yesterday and can't wait.

Anonymous (September 13, 2005)

a beautiful river?

Anonymous (September 13, 2005)

jones the bones, the motherfucking Kwisatz Haderach of people who review Facing New York.

He rides the worm??

AlmostPunkEnough (September 13, 2005)

jones the bones, the motherfucking Kwisatz Haderach of people who review Facing New York.

this is pretty solid stuff, i'll have to check the album out. can one face New York while in New York?