|
Album Reviews
This semi- retro, 4 man rock band stemming directly
out of Toronto, Canada, collectively known as
FM*Static, a side band project consisting of 2
original members from the rock band Thousand Foot Krutch.
FM Static members include the bands 2 founding members
Trevor McNevan-Vocals, Steve Augustine-Drums and Justin
Smith-Bass, John Bunner-Guitar, produced by Aaron
Sprinkle (MxPx, Amberlin). This 11 track debut CD from
these guys, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?, released in
mid 2003 with it's pop/punk rock musical influence, make
this CD one of the most notable and creditable debut
releases for the year. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? is best
for its introspective lyric, catchy hooks and straight up
impressive hard rock guitar work through out the entire
CD. This CD is a pop rockers taste of heaven so to speak.
FM Static could be viewed as pioneers in the music
business as well as for the Christian music arena by
adding another dash of that possible Asecret ingredient”
in their latest offering and approach, adding flavor to
the ever revolving music industry continuum and melting
pot of music. In the song, ADEFINITELY MAYBE@, this song
paints a vivid picture in its lyrics that really tell a
story about a hopeful boy who met a girl who is in a
relationship with a cheating guy and she manages to
continue this relationship even though the terms and
conditions of her “questionable” relationship are
unhealthy and superficial. In the lyrics, the writer
expresses his interest in wanting to prove to the girl
how much she really means to him and how he could treat
her with respect and worthiness but has doubts that she
will ever notice him.
In WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?, FM Static displays how
the gospel or good news can be spread into this new genre
of Christian music, understanding that their sole purpose
for doing this music is for the love and to reach the
soul of hard pop rock music enthusiast world wide. Even
though traditional biblical scripture (Word) references
to Christianity are not directly present, in each and
every one of their songs- lyrical content, the essence of
good will, outreach and healing are present in the music
of these gifted musicians and there latest musical
effort. In the liner notes they clearly thank God and
Jesus Christ for allow them to do this record and make a
living doing music. This disc is a clean music effort and
very parental friendly on the lyrical content. FM Static
have been said to support Lamplight, an organization
designed to empower teens to make healthy life choices as
well as providing several other resources for those in
need of counseling in various areas.
Other possible future classic hits to be found on the
CD are, 'DONNA', 'OCTOBER', 'SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN' and
CRAZY MARY which has been noted to have received airplay
at Christian radio. It is a song about a “lost” woman who
deserves a little time and some intervention from someone
who really cares. lyrics: 'Maybe if I took a little time
to talk, then she'd heal a little if she wants to, she
can run, but let's teach her how to walk away now. I'll
shake a little if she wants to, she'll laugh a little if
she needs to. There's a key to the door that she's hiding
behind. One of my favorite tracks on this disc is AMY
FIRST STEREO. This is a worth listening to track. The
track also has a guitar riff in the intro that brings
reminiscence of the Joan Jett Classic, I LOVE ROCK AND
ROLL. Do you remember that one? It is worth a listen and
you be the judge after that. It appears that these guys
have had their fair share of early life experiences, teen
school crushes and growing up listen to other rock bands
of their day, to be able to translate their experiences
into simply written songs in such a manner as the ones
displayed in FM Static's debut. These are all original
songs that I pray the new fab four have to record or
perform unplugged and acoustic one day, so you can really
hear the lyrics and message even more clearly, showing
their diversity as artists. When listening to this CD,
their music reminds me of the intensity and eagerness of
when I was a teen blasting the family record player, (as
most teens do), it reminded me of my introduction to
pop/rock music in the 70's and 80's during a time when I
was searching and looking for direction in life and
wanting to belong to something. I began listening to
underground as well as commercial artists such as
well-known pop-punk rockers Joan Jett, Blondie, Pat
Benatar and Van Halen, all who had good music and hard
life reality messages within their music. The one
difference in FM Static's music and the generation X
–factor is, this band is clearly acting responsible in
being a catalyst to inspire one to want to think, do the
right things in life and give the listeners sound
alternatives, and choices in decision making, while
allowing a person to think outside the box musically.
This band provides their audience and listeners with a
little food for thought, reaching the masses where they
are in life through the gift of music. On the back of the
CD cover one of the members is sporting a punk rock
t-shirt of the 70's Punk group, the RAMONES, plastered
across his chest, so I am so convinced that FM Static
garnered some of their musical influences, sound and
image from punk to garage era rock bands of the past. FM
Static can possibly be compaired genre and method wise at
least to break out Christian rock hitmakers, JARS OF
CLAY, . Most music lovers where surprised when fellow
break out Christian rock group, JARS OF CLAY made it to
MTV, so maybe FM Static may be there as well giving
blatant or hidden messages of God and Jesus Christ within
there music. I appreciate them supplying printed lyrics
so I could really follow along and know what they are
saying since the music can get a little loud. Just when
you think the CD is over, a hidden Unplugged acoustic
track at the end shows up, which is the closest thing to
that MTV UNPLUGGED future I hope to see from this
talented adventurous band.
~
Anaud
Thousand Foot Krutch’s side project, FM Static, is
Tooth&Nail’s answer to the ever-so-trendy genre of
pop punk. As the name suggests, this band has a very
radio-friendly, mainstream poppy sound. Melodic like New
Found Glory, rockin’ like Sum 41, with catchier lyrics
than Simple Plan, FM Static may seem like just another
cliché poppunk band amongst the thousand others. I
personally am sick of hearing about bands described as
“similar to Good Charlotte and Blink-182,” however FM
Static has hooked me on so badly that, even after months
of owning this CD, I still listen to it at least every
other day.
Lyrically, FM Static is like a time-warp back to high
school, like the typical
loser-boy-liking-a-girl-who’s-in-a-cooler-clique-with-a-cooler-but-dumb-boyfriend
story. Yea yea, an overused theme, but somewhere between
Trevor McNevan’s sugary “whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh” and the
radio-friendly three-chord riffs, is a magical spell that
draws you into the world of FM Static. Don’t worry,
though, the lyrics aren’t as elementary as Simple Plan,
nor are they repetitive. They are reflective yet
positive, which goes perfectly with the band’s upbeat and
sunny tune.
The band keeps pretty much the same style and
song-writing skills throughout, however the last hidden
track “Hey Now” definitely caught my ears. In this
acoustic ballad, McNevan pours his heart out about liking
a girl--- yes, like, not love. He could have simply sang
“I love you with all my heart you’re my everything baby
baby baby” (haha okay I’m a lame-o), but instead he goes
on about what little things make him like this girl so
much. I thought this was much better than talking about
something so overused yet too abstract for many to
understand—though they think they understand. It shows
that their lyrics are honest and straight from the heart,
and perhaps this is why the rap-metal band’s members
chose poppunk as the genre for their side project----
most people would disagree to forming a poppunk band
because it’s such a cliché style, but FM Static chose to
do what they want to do. And maybe that’s how they did it
successfully.
Discs like this remind me that super-catchy pop punk will
always be my guilty pleasure, but this pop punk happens to
be good, plus I see nothing wrong with loving a pop
album. So if you’re at all like me and absolutely love
power-pop or pop punk, well, this album name is the
answer: “what are you waiting for?” go out and buy it!
~
Yukiko
FmStatic(Homepage)
Interviews
Razorcake
Renownmagazine
Servantsheart
Lyrics
lyricsxp
lyricstime
Mp3 (Downloads)
Praize
Amazon
iomusic
|
