Funeral For A Friend - Memory And Humanity

by Simon T Diplock

Welsh wonders find their fire once again

"Opener ‘Rules And Games’ is muscular and immediate, ‘Constant Illuminations’ twists and turns like FFAF were taking proper notes at those Rage Against The Machine reunion shows, and ‘You Can't See the Forest…’ is goddamn deadly."

For a band that have taken a lot of stick about sounding like everybody else, about sounding a little fashionable and faceless at times, this record sounds deftly and defiantly like Funeral For a Friend. From start to finish on ‘Memory And Humanity’ the Welsh quintet turn in some of their best performances yet, playing songs that are easily identifiable and truly them. That doesn’t mean this is another version of their debut- no matter how many die-hard fans would dig it, that would just mean the band were going backwards- it just smartly and swiftly rekindles some of the creative fire that had seemed to dim in the band’s camp over the last few years.

It might be a little line-up shuffle that’s done it- Gav Burroughs arriving to replace Gareth Davies behind the bass guitar and adding new licks and a little fresh hunger perhaps. Or it might be some record label politics- the band set up their own label to handle this album and although all the DIY talk seems a bit cheap when Roadrunner’s logo is on the record in Europe and it’s getting a stateside release through Victory, it must have been refreshing to start writing songs without once thinking about what the man might say. But it’s most likely that after seven hasty, heady years of touring, recording, and touring again, Funeral For A Friend have finally, truly, got the hang of this thing. Whatever the reason though, rejoice, for Funeral For A Friend are a rock band again.

Opener ‘Rules And Games’ is muscular and immediate and way more incendiary than the band’s business decisions, ‘Constant Illuminations’ twists and turns like FFAF were taking proper notes at those Rage Against The Machine reunion shows, and ‘Ghosts’ actually does sound like something off ‘Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation’, injected with engaged intensity and real skill. But they haven’t just focussed and found fresh power; they’ve combined that force with their ever-developing songwriting chops too.

So ‘To Die Like Mouchette’ rides a strong, twisting guitar line to a series of melodic climaxes, ‘Maybe I Am?’ defies that clunky title to stomp and soar with equal measure, and from its deceptive acoustic introduction to its juggernaut riffing and huge chorus ‘You Can't See the Forest…’ is goddamn deadly.

There are several things that stop this album from being any kind of instant classic. First single ‘Kicking and Screaming’ is a fine showcase of the band’s current explosive form but a bit of a throwaway, ‘Beneath the Burning Tree’ is a dead ringer for Kids In Glass Houses and the one moment here when Funeral appear a little anonymous again, and the quiet ‘Building’ feels half-finished, like it could be great but it isn’t here. But still ‘Memory And Humanity’ is one of the best things this band have ever done, and a perfectly-timed reminder of why everyone fell in love with them in the first place. Ace.
The Dave said on October 12th 2008 [report abuse]

The bass parts were recorded by Gareth Davies before he left, he wrote them so the sounds on the album are not influnced by the new guy, Gav.

Dan said on December 2nd 2008 [report abuse]

I think i perfur the old stuff that funeral for a friend did it so much better in my opinion i mean don't get me wrong i like some of the new songs they did like "into oblivion" from "tales" but i would like to hear their future albums take a turnaround back to good old days lol! keep supporting the scene! =]

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