Artist: Far-Less
Album: Everyone Is Out to Get Us
Tooth and Nail
11 Tracks, 43 Minutes

When I first started cooking for myself, I soon discovered that there was life on the spicerack beyond salt and pepper.  I think the clincher was when I had Indian food one time.  What was it that moved me?  It was smooth and sweet, yet spicy, and the texture...I found out the key ingredients were curry, paprika and cilantro, and as a result, I started throwing those spices into EVERYTHING I made.  I soon found out that only certain spices work together with certain foods to make lovely flavors. 

 

I think young bands that are forward thinking perhaps reach for all of the spices on the rack at first.  In the end, they get a unique sound, but it still just isn’t quite right.  That seems to be the problem with Virginia’s Farless on their full length debut (follow up to “Turn to the Bright e.p) on Tooth and Nail records. 

 

When I break it down, they do everything right.  They have melody, and good ones at that.  They have screams.  And they’re not just screaming for the sake of it, the screams really fit the songs.  The musicianship is really quite good;Tastefully done, where each member has talent but knows what to play and when.  The song structures are unique and aren’t overly predictable.  They play with time signatures enough to keep metal heads and drummers happy.  The lyrics aren’t cheesy, albeit a bit difficult to understand with lots of talk about aliens and invasions.  The production is polished and impeccable.  They don’t fall into any one genre.  You’ll hear elements of heavier music one moment (Looked At the Trap), then you’ll hear them break into a more European rock feel (the title track), then they’ll get progressive or metal-ish and the next moment they’ll sound like Hoobastank.  Seriously, the song It Just Gets Complicated sounds like Hoobastank. 

 

And I think that all of the above is just the problem.  You break it down and it all makes sense.  Each song in its own right is impressive.  Jumping the Shark and Garage Band Degree are both great songs on their own and worthy of repeated listens.  You build it back up and something doesn’t fit.  Maybe its because they’re young, maybe its because they tried so hard to not sound like any other band that they went too far.  I don’t know.  Maybe I just didn’t get it.  At least they’re cooking with spice.