A breakthrough fo the band
Posted November 30, 2008
By Nathan,
Falling Up’s first CD Crashing was a very sound rock album but it failed to break new ground. Their sophomore album, Dawn Escapes, used a more alternative approach to the rock and creative song complex songs that suffered as a whole for the lack of diversity overall. So what might be one of the best remix albums ever Exit Lights is a key album for Falling Up is discovering their identity in throwing new songs into the mixer and adding new ones.
The distinct alternative sound (which would be echoed later in Captiva) is unleashed immediately with the spooky sounding “Islander” which sound incredibly natural and is one of Falling Up’s greatest songs. In revamping “Fearless (250 And Dark Stars)” there was little left from the old rock tune, but the change was genius. The piano is brilliant and the intensity of the song is maximized guest vocalist Troma whose soft vocals are wonderful. The only drawback is Trevor McNevan’s (Thousand Foot Krutch) vocal which doesn’t align with the soft music or the light alternative chorus.
The star singers don’t stop there as Solomon olds lends his hardcore voice to “moonlit (Neon Predator)” which is very heavy. Rachel Lampa’s appearance on “Exhibition (Epoison)” is far more impressive as her intense vocals just shine after a long intro. What breaks up the album is the interludes which don’t last very long but are a odd touch considering their solemn music. Of the two interludes “Third Lake” beats out “circlewinds”.
Both of the singles “bittersweet” and “escalates” sound better in their non-remixed state as they are more messed around electronically than actually improved. The techno style added to the alternative rock “Searchlights (Indoor Soccer)” actually creates a more interesting atmosphere than most of the other remixes; the tune stays intact and the intensity stays the same but the base plays a bigger role. The creepy sounding “broken heart” took a big change from it’s solid rock seat to a more alternative organic song which is more complex and more artistic.
The lyrics are not so much an issue on remixes records since most of the songs keep their original meanings, even though Falling Up is known for their cryptic lyrics. But a look at “Islander” and the majorly tweaked “fearless” is interesting. “Islander” seems to say that admits lost friend ships, abandoned purposes and the everyday strangeness of life that we should not ‘half live’. The lyrics seem strange on “Fearless” but on the bit that Troma sings on it would seem that the message points to God and standing strong ‘Don't take my picture because I wont be there standing alone/Im living fearless, so fearless, like every day's my own’
Exit Lights is a breakthrough for Falling Up, as they sound more refined and added more verity to their style. The next step is watching them do the same with new songs like they did with their previous ones. A terrific Remix album which only hints at the potential greatness.
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