Debuts albums often have something a little special about them - a rough fearlessness and vitality that generally rubs off after years in a windowless sound proofed room with nothing but cramp, a click track and headphones for company. Savour "Casually Dressed..." then; FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND are currently Kerrang!'s Best New Band and it's not difficult to see why - as a debut "Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation" is a mighty flex of sonic muscle and (without attempting to aggravate the US vs. UK debate) Drive Thru records et al could do a lot worse than take note.
Opening track and bloody wedding dress 'Rookie of the Year' sets the standard and the next 11 songs never disappoint. There are no fillers, no duff moments - so much so that recent single 'Juneau's scorching radio friendly guitar licks (yes! licks!) driving kick drumming, and provokingly clear eyed negative lyrics (all of which assured FFAF plenty of FM playlisting and a top 20 billing) does not stand out, it might have been a random choice.
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'Escape Artists Never Die' is spacious and dark without ever becoming epically bloated; 'Moments Forever Faded's clipped staccato guitars and lounging sing along chorus is similarly superb. If there is a standout track it's probably 'Your Revolution Is a Joke', an acoustic lullaby with spiky sentiments, in itself not the catchiest floor filler but proof that FFAF play what they want and are not so introverted that homogenous releases will blight their future.
Admittedly there are plenty more bands peddling similar Extremo material - but there has to be no doubt that FFAF are amongst the best of the breed. Flip a coin for the next single and bring on the difficult second album.
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