FAREWELL Sound. Color. Motion (Self released)
Pennsylvania’s Farewell Flight are no strangers to hard work. The band have been touring none stop since lead singer and main songwriter Luke Foley decided to set up the band in it’s current incarnation and head out on the road almost two years ago. Drawing comparisons with Death Cab for Cutie, Nada Surf and Jimmy Eat World’s softer moments, Farewell Flight released their full length album this year, Sound.Color.Motion. A mixture of three EPs hence the name.
One talking point that always arises when this band are mention is their religious background and Christian beliefs. Farewell Flight are at pains to point out that they are in no way connected with the Christian music scene and strongly wish not to be lumped into this pigeon hole, as strongly as they believe in their faith. Farewell Flight are not a band singing about Jesus or putting any of their ideology into their music, this is not a band aiming to preach or convert and certainly not trying to spread the word of the Lord. Luke Foley has said himself that they do not wish to use their religious beliefs as a way of selling music and if not for the fact that this issue has followed the band you wouldn’t even be aware that they are Christians. Sound.Color.Motion deals with topics on a more human level and not religious one, and their music is more beautiful for it.
The opening track on Sound.Color.Motion, Lullaby for Insomniacs, gently draws you into Farewell Flight’s world; the song is so openly touching and peaceful yet deals with the depths of despair and alcoholism. A voice in the dark, Foley’s delivery is almost soaked in whiskey as he calls to the lonely and sings for the lost. Foley’s lyrics connect strongly with the listener, you have a feeling that he has been to these depths and is not sure what the answer is himself.
Foley’s voice is harrowing and touching at the same time and is definitely the strongest vehicle at the front of Farewell Flight’s convoy. His melodies both lift and break you and there is a rawness to it that truly aches with his music. Accompanied by the guitar work of Timmy Moslener and complimented by the piano, Farewell Flight has a strong ear for melody and warmth which is evident on Widower where Foley sings ‘Turning thirty five, I still sleep alone at night’. Far from being uplifting and praising this beautiful world, Foley sees all of its faults and tragedy.
Usually bands like this do not do much for me, I find that they lack energy and don’t wander too far from the beaten track in their compositions. It is true that Sound.Color.Motion does lull in the middle and sometimes feels like it is dragging its feet, but it cannot be denied that they offer something more than the Coldplays and Snow Patrols of this world. The drumming in particular injects a great deal of energy to the album, evident on Slow with the marching band beat and thunderous ending to the best song on the album Over.
The touring ethic has certainly paid off judging by Sound.Color.Motion, and Farewell Flight definitely deserves it.
(Adam Gregory)
Check out Farewell Flight’s Myspace page.
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