• Home
• Subscribe
• Store
• Service/FAQ

THE MOON IS DOWN

Imagine you’re in a band and you just recorded an amazing label debut album with powerful guitar licks and emotionally driven vocals. You have a sense of achievement and accomplishment in the fact that you’ve just spent months of your life pouring your heart and soul into an action packed project. Now imagine being the lead singer of that group and then ending your time with the band before that CD ever hit store shelves.
. . . Such is the case of emo rockers Further Seems Forever whose lead vocalist Chris Carrabba officially withdrew from his partnership with guitarists Nick Dominguez and Josh Colbert, bassist Chad Neptune and drummer Steve Kleisath. There were many factors in such a decision, but the remaining members of Further Seems Forever point out that the departure was mutually beneficial.
. . . Regardless of the membership drama, The Moon is Down sports lush, guitar driven arrangements, flushed out with Carrabba’s emotional style, giving them a Brandston meets Get Up Kids type sound. Although they are not as aggressive as Tooth and Nail label mates The Juliana Theory and the indie turned MTV band At the Drive In, Further Seems Forever is on a similar path of general market success, and will inevitably appeal to the fan base of such groups.
. . . The title cut is a moderate rocker with quick building riffs and backbeats, highlighted by Carrabba’s high-pitched wails. A handful of songs stand out as Weezer-like anthems, which is certainly an appropriate comparison considering the fact that FSF was asked to contribute to their Rock Music tribute album. “Snowbirds and Townies” is an anthem listeners can approach with a slightly slower version of Weezer’s “My Name is Jonas” playing in the back of their mind.
. . . “New Year’s Project” is a heart wrenching somber tune that starts up in a calming manner only to fuel up with more of a plugged in, hard-hitting drive. The epic “A New Desert’s Life” closes out the disc, highlighting the band’s ability to switch paces, while showcasing Carrabba’s varying range. The track caps off a thrilling national debut destined to make the hearts of listener’s melt, while touching their heart with the harsh realities and tender triumphs of everyday life. [Tooth&Nail/ Andy Argyrakis]