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Shook Ones

Facetious Folly Feat
2006
Revelation

Shook Ones - Facetious Folly Feat (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Chris
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Published on November 3rd 2006

Last year, I named Shook Ones' debut Sixteen as one of my top 20 picks of the year. Their brand of melodic hardcore immediately brought to mind favorites like Lifetime, Gorilla Biscuits and most noticeably, Kid Dynamite. While I throughly enjoyed the album, my impression was based more on expectations, in the sense that I saw this band capable of much more, and the thought of what they could accomplish made me highly anticipate their Revelation debut.

To say that vocalist Scott Freeman's voice sounds "similar" to Jay from Kid Dynamite is a vast understatement, but so what? Honestly, I love it. With their second full-length, Facetious Folly Feat, the band has started to build their own identity, taking away from the detractors that claim them as another "Philly/Jersey-core" band. If you can point me anywhere in punk/hardcore where there isn't some type of obvious influence, then, well, they probably aren't a punk/hardcore band. Fact of the matter is, this music is built on bands that love other bands, pick up some instruments, and start their own group.

Facetious Folly Feat is one of the best hardcore records of 2006. In a year that has already been one of the better ten months of great new music I can remember in recent history, I've noticed only a few great hardcore albums. Strike Anywhere's Dead FM, while outstaning on its own merit, focused on a more melodic and poppier approach. Sick of It All unleashed Death to Tyrants, which was received well, and at this point, my favorite hardcore album of the year was This Is Hell's Sundowning. Through all of these albums I noticed one thing, however...a real lack of that bouncy hardcore I love -- until now.

Kicking off the album is the highly energetic "Carms Race." After the breakdown into the slower, sing-along pace, the difference in just how far Shook Ones have progressed their sound becomes clear. But it really shines on the next track, "Pheasant," which showcases not only the faster temper they've always shown, but a new trick is thrown in the mix, something that seems to be that missing piece I was waiting for. Suddenly, it goes right into a mid-temp riff, leading to a full shout-along chorus complete with plenty of background "whoah"s, which I've always been a sucker for. Bridging with a simplistically appropriate same-tempo breakdown, it leads right back to the quick pace the track began with.

Maybe all that hooey-phooey I just explained sounds ridiculous, but for lack of better phrasing, it really explains just what the band has accomplished with this album: changes in tempo and pace that merge well, and add depth to the songs. Their forefathers of hardcore did the same thing. Your fast-paced verses, launching into the mid-tempo of thunderous choruses, complete with a full cast of shout-along backing vocals. It's a time-tested formula that Shook Ones have seemed to fully grasp and execute to near perfection.

The only real departure from what I expected/hoped for would be the song "Ebb and Flow." Only accompanied by a single electric guitar, Scott's vocals are put on full display. Though the idea works, I would have liked to see the song go right into full explosion of sorts, to contrast the stripped down nature it begins (and ends) with.

Of my favorites, I truly enjoyed "Virginia Beach Vanity Plate," which might be the funnest track the guys have ever laid down -- not to mention if you ever hear a song on record and just KNOW it will be a blast live, this is one those. Getting the nod as well would be "Ink Pen Shopping Spree," which is without question, my favorite Shook Ones jam to date. The "repeat factor" of this song is at about an eight (pretty constant in my car).

An album like this is really hard to explain and review. You feel like you've heard it before, but with that ear-to-ear grin of "yeah, I've heard this, and I sure as hell hope to keep hearing it again and again."

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Posted by BisonChris on 2006-11-20 16:24:17

i have thier first album, sixteen, but havnt listened to this one yet, they were a little too poppy for me, but we're still a solid band

Posted by the_pro_from_dover on 2006-11-15 00:30:41
My Score:

I seriously cannot stop listening to this record. Everything I ever really wanted in music.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 1:07 PM (EST)

I agree, Slaughter of the Insole should have stayed the same... I really liked the bass intro to the song on the 7in.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 1:50 PM (EST)
My Score:

This album is fuckin great, way more solid than Sixteen. My only complaint is that the original version of 'slaughter of the insole' is better...more fierce and energetic.

Posted by ChokingVictim on 2006-11-05 15:16:47

Thanks to AlmostPunkEnough, I got to check this out. Really good, and like everyone else has said, has an obvious Kid Dynamite influence, which is not a bad thing by any means.

And yeah, Virginia Beach isn't that great, but we've been getting some killer shows lately!

Lawrence Arms, Slackers, Leftover Crack, and Streetlight Manifesto all within a month of each other...

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 5, 2006 at 12:32 PM (EST)

Also, I like the 7"'s version of "So Grown Up". This version sound like it's being kept back.

Posted by bradleymiracle on 2006-11-05 12:25:18

best album out so far this year.
fucking rules.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 5, 2006 at 11:53 AM (EST)
My Score:

"Pheasant" is a terrible song. If the vocalist sounds as he does on that song for the whole album, then I have absolutely no interest in hearing it. The production is rather shoddy too.

-Chinatown

Posted by benz on 2006-11-04 19:51:38

what?

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-11-04 14:08:12

hahahaha wow an internet slam because of my username. you're a smart one.

you don't even have the balls to register on this site.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 1:21 PM (EST)

OK, even for his favorite "hardcore" album....its wack. and so are you. "one girl army"

yeah.

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-11-03 22:54:52

stopped reading as soon as he said his favorite album of 06 was This Is Hell. Honestly, where do you find these reviewers?

He said his favorite HARDCORE album, not favorite album numbnuts. He also said "at that point" which means his opinion has probably changed now. Learn to read.

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-11-03 22:53:08
My Score:

I really, really want to be into this band, but I just can't. This release bores the hell out of me, as did their other material.

I'm still going to see them on their mini-tour with Capital next month though. I'm willing to give their live show a chance - maybe I'll get into them then.

Posted by benz on 2006-11-03 17:17:06
My Score:

They keep doing it! Shook ones are one of my favorite current bands. Great.

-benz

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 3:23 PM (EST)

Reviewer is nuts! Best hardcore this year is Sinking Ships - Disconnecting. Sundowning, not so much.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 3:09 PM (EST)
My Score:

[i]Also, I like the 7"'s version of "So Grown Up". This version sound like it's being kept back.[/i]

I agree.

Its a good release, but it seems a bit toned down.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 1:53 PM (EST)
My Score:

not groundbreaking but who feckin cares... it's a great rocker... if you like lifetime you cant go wrong with this. and i like lifetime. so there.

Posted by pwfanatic37 on 2006-11-03 11:31:34

these guys are so much fun live it is crazy. i can't wait till their upcoming tour with sinking ships.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 10:34 AM (EST)

the best hardcore albums this year were by tragedy and ignite

Posted by brentmills on 2006-11-03 10:30:53
My Score:

wasn't a huge fan of sixteen but i'm digging this quite a bit.

Posted by BizzleBrizzle on 2006-11-03 09:58:34

This definitely deserves 5 stars.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 9:17 AM (EST)
My Score:

score is for tha bands use of alliteration!

Posted by ramo on 2006-11-03 07:21:42
My Score:

It's a pretty good effort by these guys but it doesn't have that raw, loud production Sixteen and their recent 7" had. Also, I like the 7"'s version of "So Grown Up". This version sound like it's being kept back.

Overall, Shook Ones didn't disappoint and I betting some of the songs will come off great live.

Ramo

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 4:38 AM (EST)

stopped reading as soon as he said his favorite album of 06 was This Is Hell. Honestly, where do you find these reviewers?

Posted by danperrone on 2006-11-03 00:49:12

i dunno, never liked this band

bored me

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 12:40 AM (EST)
My Score:

Great album, and probably the best live band I saw this year.

Posted by changeisasound on 2006-11-03 00:40:20

I dont care how much this band sounds like kid dynamite, or lifetime. those bands were amazing. its nice to see these dudes pay tribute, their doing a rad job.

Posted by sickboi on 2006-11-03 00:25:17

this is one of the most blantant rip offs ive ever heard. start writing reviews after your 17th birthday broseph. go jock some other flavor of the week

Man...I wish I was 17 again. Best summer of my life. Working at Waffle House the summer after graduation, Warped Tour 97' and dating 3 girls at once. Ahhhh, what a golden time...

Posted by ozmanx on 2006-11-03 00:21:27

Didn't know these guys were releasing an album this year, probably pick this up soon.

Posted by JonDaley on 2006-11-03 00:11:33

they changed "So Grown Up"? laaaaaaaammmmmeeeee

I hope I can pick this up next week somewhere.

Posted by stevieblackkk on 2006-11-03 00:06:40

i didnt know jack black commented on punk news....

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 12:01 AM (EST)

best hc of 2006??
this is one of the most blantant rip offs ive ever heard. start writing reviews after your 17th birthday broseph. go jock some other flavor of the week

Posted by inagreendase on 2006-11-02 23:58:18
My Score:

Brian's addendums: There actually was hints of Jawbreaker on Sixteen, and here it's definitely exercised more -- but what's funny is the band comes out sounding like None More Black, which isn't a bad thing at all at least.

Not to be that guy, but I liked the 7" version of "So Grown Up" better. There was just something about it that sounded so honest raw, distorted, and messy. This version does fit well within the context of the album though.

Also, "The Drop" is fucking incredible. Like wow.

In all, this wasn't quite the album I was hoping for, but I think it's going to sneak into the trenches of my 20 -- and I can pretty much guarantee a few of these will sound amazing live.