Funeral for a Friend - Memory And Humanity (Album)
Welsh band Funeral For A Friend have released their fourth full length album Memory And Humanity, which drummer Ryan Richards promised would be similar to their first record Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation.
The thirteen track album was produced, engineered and mixed by Romesh Dodangoda (who has collaborated with other emo/hardcore bands like Bullet For My Valentine and Dopamine) at the Long Wave Studio in Cardiff UK.
The good thing about FFAF is that they play post-hardcore music that has plenty of strong guitar riffs and pounding drum beats, but unlike other bands of similar genres they also play softer songs that allow the lyrics to really stand out. Another factor that separates them from the pact is that they actually sing instead of just scream and holler. The switch from hard rock tracks to songs more melodious, breaks up the album so each song doesn’t sound identical to the last.
Tracks like Constant Illuminations and Beneath The Burning Tree display the heavier side to the band, whilst songs like Charlie Don’t Surf and Constant Resurrections show a softer side.
Stand out songs are Waterfront Dance Club ,with its gradual build up of drums at the beginning and its catchy lyrics that recite: "The light has faded through the window", and Rules And Games which also has a memorable opening that immediately grabs your attention.
If by stating that he wanted this album to sound like their first, that Richards was implying that he wanted the record to be hard rocking whilst still being commercial, then Memory And Humanity has definitely done just that.
