Back in 2002, Funeral For A Friend burst out of the South-Wales underground with a four track E.P. that some would argue almost kick started an entire genre, while others might say it started the downfall of one. Either way, ‘Between Order And Model’ introduced to world to FFAF, and they became an inspiration to countless other bands bothering music stereos, and indeed the music charts today.
Seven years, four albums, dozens of sold out tours and countless festival appearances later, their army of fans is literally in the millions, and they’re one of the most successful and credible UK rock acts of recent times. ‘Best Of’ collections tend to be unnecessary and cringe-worthy in most cases, but with Funeral For A Friend, ‘Your History Is Mine: 2002 – 2009’ is somewhat justified.
What I love about this album is that it really allows you to hear the progression in the band’s sound throughout their career so far. From the rough ‘n readiness of ’10:45 Amsterdam Conversation’ to the anthemic new single, ‘Wrench’, you can hear the band evolving as the tracks tick over. In the last seven years they’ve refined both their songwriting and performance abilities and while they’ve come a long way, their older material has stood the test of time. ‘Juneau’ and ‘This Year’s Most Open Heartbreak’ sound as relevant now as they did in the early days, and still manage to hold a candle up to the arena-bothering behemoths like ‘Into Oblivion (Reunion)’ and ‘Kicking And Screaming’.
So it’s a timely look back over the band’s career so far then? Yes. But it’s a sneak peek at what’s around the corner, too. With four newly recorded tracks included, this record shows Funeral For A Friend have not run out of steam just yet – and if the likes of ‘Built To Last’ and ‘Captains of Industry’ are anything to go by, it sounds like they’re just getting started. The new songs are as thunderous and as vitriolic as ever, and if anything they’re solid proof that Funeral For A Friend have still got it in them. Captains Of Their Industry? Quite Possibly.
Andy R