THE SKINNY: Fans of the genre will no doubt love this record as it touches on all proven sorts of successful post-hardcore music. Sleepwalking is full of heavy guitar hits, chugging riffs, unison double bass, and high aggression sing/screaming. But, if your looking for something revolutionary, this isn't for you.MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/memphismayfire
PURCHASE: Newbury Comics, Online Store
If Memphis May Fire's first self-titled EP left you discontent, at only five songs, and had you patiently awaiting their first full-length CD, then you were in the same boat I was. Two years ago, AP Magazine was quick to suggest MMF to fans of Underoath and Every Time I Die. I guess it was an appropriate musical suggestion, but that would imply that MMF's music provided some form of comparable depth to Keith Buckley's political and cultural wit and Spencer Chamberlain's indisputable personal agony.
Lyrically, Sleepwalking is bursting with cliches from start to finish. "She started a fire" is aggressively repeated in the feature track "Your Lucky It's Not 1692," a song that kicks off with a southern guitar riff I could've sworn was on the band's first EP. "I am the air in your lungs, and the blood in your veins. I am all the voices you hear, and I'll never go away." begins track 4: "Ghost in the Mirror." While I can't discredit the band for incoherent story telling, as each song has a pretty clear message and point, I must say they could've gotten a bit more poetic about it.
May Fire's first release gave the band an identity. Their five song-er was deeply southern, gritty, loud, and full of a few choice breakdowns. While you will find of few of those breakdowns and a general southern twang on Sleepwalking, I'd be lying if I told you the band sounded like they'd improved upon what made them awesome in the first place. On another note, there's quite a bit more chaos and intricacy on Sleepwalking than the band's EP. So if you're one for getting disoriented and being brought back toward control, then this should be a major appeal factor for you. The coolest moments on the record involve a chaotic body of panned, riffing guitars and intricate drums moving toward a gigantic hit that consistently manages to put a hard smile on my face.
When all is said and done, I don't dislike Sleepwalking, or think it's a vein attempt at stardom for the band. I do think perhaps MMF knew the formula for success in their arena and appealed to that. Their new singer is a perfect example of how playing it safe can work in your favor. Replacing former vocalist Chase Ryan quickly deleted some of the band's character and replaced it with something that I probably couldn't differentiate from any other band in the scene. But, my main beef is with the growing amount of overly positive reviews the album is accumulating. MMF's Sleepwalking isn't going to change the world, but if you're not expecting it to then you're in for a fun, although slightly predictable ride.
"You're Lucky It's Not 1692" off of Sleepwalking
(c) 2009 Memphis May Fire
p.s. Much of the album reminds me of Scary Kids Scaring Kids 2nd full length effort: a glossy, highly produced collection of generally similar songs that left fans of the original album disappointed in the new watered down version of their favorite band.
p.p.s. Track 5: "Been There, Done That" reminds me of "No Son of Mine" by Everytime I Die and a bunch of Sky Eats Airplane songs.
FAVORITE TRACK: "A Giant in A Giant's World"
FOR FANS OF: Everytime I Die, Underoath, Scary Kids Scaring Kids
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