Yes this is an old album (it was originally released in 2003), but Vagrant re-released the record last month in the UK to co-incide with the label’s four band tour. Because of that, it would be unfair to levy FATA with criticism for being another one of those bands that scream and thrash around for the sake of it – after all, 18 months ago when this first came out it could be argued that FATA were one of the leaders in the post-hardcore genre. They were courted by Island and – if you believe the rumours – that deal only fell through because of disagreements between band and label over the finished record. Island’s loss (they did later sign Thursday and Thrice mind) was Vagrant’s gain, and ‘The Fiction We Live’ was released to some pretty encouraging reviews.
The album certainly builds on ‘Too Bad You’re Beautiful’, suggesting FATA not only grew as musicians but as songwriters too. Of course not everyone sees progression as a good thing and I’m sure hardcore fans will probably suggest this record was dummed down and made far too melodic for its own good. Not that it is, I hasten to add, but it’s certainly more accessible than its predecessor. From Autumn To Ashes base their sound on the dual vocal attack from Benjamin Perri and Francis Mark, the latter of which is the band’s drummer who tends to stick to the singing parts. The balance works well and is contrasted, on many occasions, to full effect. ‘Milligram Smile’ and ‘After Dinner Payback’ are probably two of the better songs on this album, combining the vocal strengths with some harsh guitar riffs and kick-ass drums.
The real curveball is when Melanie Willis comes in to sing ‘Autumns Monolgue’, juxtaposing the previous screamathons to create a really haunting track, sung solely by the female lead. It sounds a little odd and out of place at first, and may even end up as being an experiement which went wrong, but I actually think it fits the record reasonably well. I wouldn’t say this record is the best of its genre, but it’s certainly not amongst the worst. I’ve heard that FATA have impressed a lot of people on the Vagrant tour and that doesn’t surprise me; at times this record is extremely powerful and if the band convert that to a live setting, it could even be awe-inspiring.
www.fromautumntoashes.com
Vagrant
Paul