From First to Last - Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count
Record Label: Epitaph
Release Date: June 29, 2004
Despite a confusing album cover and a hefty album name, From First To Last's first LP is actually pretty decent. Amongst the crop of the emo-leaning post-hardcore bands, From First to Last are not the most original band ever. In fact, they are far from it. They even have the stereotypical, high-pitched vocalist, Sonny Moore, that has been compared to, "a cat being run over by a car." Even so, their musicians are very talented, especially Derek Bloom, the drummer.
Tracks like "Ride The Wings Of Pestilence" display Bloom's skill as a drummer, Jon Weisberg's ability as a bassist, and all three vocalists' talent, as it is one of the most diverse songs on the album. It is also the best song, along with being the album's closer. The song starts with an eerie guitar "riff" (if that's what you want to call it) that leads to every instrument going along for the ride, before progressing into a part that showcases Bloom's ability. The song's verses are catchy and the cymbal fill fuels a chorus that is catchy depsite the high "cat wails" from Sonny Moore. Travis Richter screaming lines from the movie Heathers made that song one of my all-time favorites. The ending makes the song even better, and banked it as the album's closer, despite the heaviness of "Kiss Me, I'm Contagious."
"Kiss Me, I'm Contagious" has lyrics that remind me of the dusty ol' trails of 1859. The song isn't all that catchy, but it shows Sonny's new-found range. The rasps during the chorus fit greatly with Sonny's somewhat monotonous vocals on this song. The song is pretty decent, but it seems extremely repetitive, especially at the end -- "Can I touch your legs? Do I make you sweat?" is repeated 6 times in an unruly fashion. Now, you'll expect me to go into how the lyrics are full of emo-cliches right? Well, unlike "Emily," the lyrics are reminiscent of deathcore cliches, and I don't mean the parts about how the lead singer will stab you in your genitals. I mean about the part how, "I'm hung like an outlaw," and "I'll rip that ass," and of course the infamous, "bang bang, guns go bang."
Speaking of "Emily," the band really shows how mellow and in touch with their feelings they can get. In other words, how "emo" they can get. The song oozes with passion from the vocalist instead of the musicians this round, (yes that is a "Kiss Me, I'm Contagious" reference) which is a huge shocker. The song fills itself with how Sonny cheated on his girlfriend, and how there's "no one in the world like Emily." Emily, you really screwed this kid up if he's listening to Morrissey in his car after a while.
In the shortest of words, fast, metal-paced songs like "Note To Self" and "The One Aremd Boxer vs. The Flying Guillotine" are found on this album, but they're countered by soft, introspective ballads like "Emily." It has become a sales-phenom formula, and it's sad to see such few bands, like From Autumn To Ashes, and Alexisonfire stray. Nevertheless, the album is pretty decent, good, even great if you really like that kind of stuff. I'm just glad that the band went here before their self-titled album.
I bought this record well over 4 years ago and I'm still trying to figure out what the hell the cover art is supposed to be. It's a decent post-hardcore album though.
I saw Sonny's new group open for Hollywood Undead a while back.
Lyrical content aside, the music was pretty cool. It's definitely different, to say the least. It's also catchy as hell. But the lyrics were probably some of the most retarded shit I've ever heard. Just look up and listen to Gyspyhook. That song is pretty stupid.
Sonny's a really nice guy too. He was outside the venue having a cigarette and he let my girlfriend and her friend take some pictures with him.
Sonny's new shit will definitely piss off From First to Last fans. It's not emo or anything even remotely heavy. It's like straight up party music. But if Sonny wanted to quit FFTL and start doing his own thing, maybe on a more positive note, then power to him.
I bought this record well over 4 years ago and I'm still trying to figure out what the hell the cover art is supposed to be. It's a decent post-hardcore album though.
i think it's two people with mosaic faces that are carrying a coffin to a crematorium.
I saw Sonny's new group open for Hollywood Undead a while back.
Lyrical content aside, the music was pretty cool. It's definitely different, to say the least. It's also catchy as hell. But the lyrics were probably some of the most retarded shit I've ever heard. Just look up and listen to Gyspyhook. That song is pretty stupid.
Sonny's a really nice guy too. He was outside the venue having a cigarette and he let my girlfriend and her friend take some pictures with him.
Sonny's new shit will definitely piss off From First to Last fans. It's not emo or anything even remotely heavy. It's like straight up party music. But if Sonny wanted to quit FFTL and start doing his own thing, maybe on a more positive note, then power to him.
i know, right. i heard gypsyhook and i was like, it's innerpartysystem with lyrics written by a retarded koala.
not sure i quite get the FATA or Alexis similarities, which isnt a bad thing, i love both these bands, def my favourite FFTL record,
Shame you didnt mention 'Populace In Two' great song which alot of people overlook, i think sonnys vocal delivery in that song is great, as of course emily,
not sure i quite get the FATA or Alexis similarities, which isnt a bad thing, i love both these bands, def my favourite FFTL record,
Shame you didnt mention 'Populace In Two' great song which alot of people overlook, i think sonnys vocal delivery in that song is great, as of course emily,
i liked the revies also :D
like to read more.
i said that fata and aof stray from this kind of stuff, so i was contrasting them.
personally, i didn't like populace in two, don't hate me!
and thnnx for the review comments... positivity is always good.
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