The Moon Is Down by Further Seems Forever is still one of the most powerful albums recorded by any band in this decade. It is a landmark album from a band for whom it has taken a long time to finally recover from the exit of singer Chris Carraba, who would go on to form the far inferior Dashboard Confessional.
The way tempo, rhythm, and beat are all combined so seamlessly with fundamental mood is unlike anything else I've ever heard. You don't have to be banging your head relentlessly to know that you are truly moved by what you hear (although, of course, I don't mean anything against headbanging, either). It was this album that taught me that music does not have to follow the traditional verse/chorus song structure, and this experimentation is yet another thing on which the album thrives. Finally, the musicmanship is spectacular, especially that of Steve Kleisath, who keeps the percussion constantly unpredictable.
In a time when I was still in my early teen years and trying to find music that truly moved me, this album helped provide the standard and show me what I was truly missing in the world of independent music. To this day I can still play "The Moon Is Down," "Snowbirds and Townies," "New Year's Project," and "Just Until Sundown," and they will still feel the same as they did the first time I listened to them. I think 5-star ratings may be given away too generously by Amazon.com reviewers, but this is a 5-star album all the way because it helped change the way I listened to music.
Posted by Anonymous, on 2005-09-28
Chris Carrabba's best endeavor
4
Let me preface this by saying that I completely agree with the review below--this is NOT "emo," or whatever. However, if you're not completely obsessed with Mogwai (or you're just naming bands from fourfa.com to sound smart), then you'll most likely enjoy this album. This is not a corporate version of ANYTHING, simply because this record came out on Tooth & Nail, which is an indie Christian label, as many people know.
That being said, this record is an absolute classic indie rock/pop record. It is by far "emo-killer" Chris Carrabba's best work yet, simply because his voice isn't nearly as irritatingly whiny as his stuff with the Vacant Andys, and isn't close to as polished and formulaic as his Dashboard days. The guitarists are masters in jazz guitar, so they know a thing or two about laying down absolutely stunning guitar lines over each other.
Almost every song on this album is crafted beautifully. If you can look past the Chris Carrabba vocals (or maybe that's your thing, who knows), then this is for you. Just open up your mind and take it as it is: a slightly Christian rock/pop record, not an "emo" one.
Posted by Anonymous, on 2004-12-23
near perfect to the last song
5
I have been listening to FSF since 2000... this album has NEVER lost replay value. New Year's Project is quite possibly one of the most emotionally meaningful songs I have ever listened to. Lyrics, music, tempo, the guitars grinding perfectly in time with each other; even Chris adds something a lot of other vocalists couldn't. Though Project is my favorite song, these characteristics are at their best on EVERY SINGLE track on this album.
Though it is just my own personal experiences that I can relate to some of the songs, I can almost guarantee that you will find something to relate to on this cd. Even if you don't, they express their feelings through music so well that you almost feel you are experiencing what they are singing about, it's scary.
IMO there are two bands - Further Seems Forever:The Moon is Down, and Further Seems Forever. This is not to say that you shouldn't check out their other cds, I enjoyed How To Start A Fire well enough.
1. Moon is Down (8/10) - My only little qualm about this album is the opening track... I don't really understand what they're trying to get across. But again, powerful music.
2. Bradley (10/10) - Fantastic song with a tingling guitar progression during the chorus that just lifts you up.
3. Snowbirds and Townies (9/10) - To someone with a girlfriend far away...
4. Monachetti (10/10) - Pure anguish. Great ending.
5. Madison Prep (10/10) - There are a lot of songs about lying, but this may be one of the best ever written.
6. New Year's Project (N/A) - I can't rate this song, you just have to listen to it.
7. Just Until Sundown (11/10) - For anyone who has left someone leaving for college.
8. Pictures of Shorelines (9/10) - The song is good, but I love the bridge before the ending.
9. Wearing Thin (10/10) - Fantastic chorus, I wish I could say this to my girl with the emotion he sings it with.
10. New Desert Life (9/10) - A great song, not the best album close-out ever though.
I have never rated an album 5 stars, there is always a song or two that I don't like or some lyrics that are dumb, but this album is raw power and pure genius.
The way tempo, rhythm, and beat are all combined so seamlessly with fundamental mood is unlike anything else I've ever heard. You don't have to be banging your head relentlessly to know that you are truly moved by what you hear (although, of course, I don't mean anything against headbanging, either). It was this album that taught me that music does not have to follow the traditional verse/chorus song structure, and this experimentation is yet another thing on which the album thrives. Finally, the musicmanship is spectacular, especially that of Steve Kleisath, who keeps the percussion constantly unpredictable.
In a time when I was still in my early teen years and trying to find music that truly moved me, this album helped provide the standard and show me what I was truly missing in the world of independent music. To this day I can still play "The Moon Is Down," "Snowbirds and Townies," "New Year's Project," and "Just Until Sundown," and they will still feel the same as they did the first time I listened to them. I think 5-star ratings may be given away too generously by Amazon.com reviewers, but this is a 5-star album all the way because it helped change the way I listened to music.