Funeral For A Friend, “Tales Don’t Tell Themselves” (4/5)

With their third full-length record, Funeral For A Friend has completely reinvented their style. Their screaming vocals alongside heavily distorted guitar-work are now completely gone, being replaced by clean guitars and even the occasional keyboard. Things have also changed lyrically by the band’s choice to make this a concept album that follows the story of a man at sea missing his family, getting caught in a storm, and ultimately drowning.

The album opens with the arena rock-ready single “Into Oblivian.” Starting with a slow keyboard intro, the song explodes when vocalist Matt Davies belts the first chorus, “Stared into oblivion / And found my own / I stared into oblivion / Find in me the hope / That you have never known / Find in us the faith / The faith to bring you home.” My personal favorite on the CD is the mellow track “One For The Road.” Even though this is one of the slower songs on the CD, it still fits perfectly between all of the faster tracks. In it, Davies sings, “Did you forget to call to find your way back home? / Out for another drink / You find yourself alone / And with the truth I feel inside / Could you believe me / That I could wait here all my life / For you to find me?”

With this record, Funeral For A Friend has proven that they aren’t just another screamo buzz band. In fact, this album shows clearly that they’re a group of very talented, versatile musicians who are actually going places.

Favorite song: One For The Road



Reviewed By: Chris H.