AlbumsNovember 29, 201110,698 views

Fordirelifesake dance.pretend.forget.defend.


dance.pretend.forget.defend.
01. Exhale 02. Recover 03. Circles And Cycles 04. Something Missing 05. Dependent On Attention MP3 06. We Are The Company We Keep 07. March Of The Pigs 08. Dance.Pretend.Forget.Defend 09. Ammunition For Your Conversation 10. From Tragedy To Imaginary 11. Twenty-Nine Minutes Defend Twenty-Two Years 12. The End Of The Beginning
2004 Thorp Records
Our score 7

3/15/2005

Fordirelifesake have always had a unique sort of sound going for them. The guitars are really clean, stark, and noodle-y, really pitchy sung vocals that mix with ones that remind me of a more tame As I Lay Dying, in addition to diverse song structures. Before I wrote this, I went back to look at the review I wrote for their split with Deluge and subsequently found another review of their s/t EP on Forge Again Records. After reading them, I pretty much came to the conclusion that I feel the same about this band and their music now as I did then, which isn't a bad thing at all. I have a strong feeling that a lot of people who have heard just one or two songs either will or already have dismissed this as scream-laden pseudo-metal hardcore with a lot of 'soft parts,' (i.e. music for fans of Atreyu, et al.) but on this band's behalf, there's a lot more going on here. The point of a Fordirelifesake album (for me, anyway) seems to lie in the album as a whole. This isn't a CD you just play for one or two good songs and then discard for another - this is something you sit down, get comfortable, and then listen to. I've cooked breakfast, done boring homework, and driven the car with this playing, and I don't listen to some shitty, boring album when doing those kinds of things, because I don't want to have to change what I'm listening to every five minutes. In my opinion, that should be the point of every album and every band, but in terms of Fordirelifesake, I think this is what they're up to, and I like it. Not every song is 100% great, but nothing sounds the same, and nothing sounds forced or like filler. And the standout tracks are the ones that diverge the most from hardcore. From the opening tracks, to the multitude of long intros and interludes (some employing keyboards for a more eclectic electronica feel), it's the songs that rely less on hardcore and metal conventions that are the most captivating. That's not to say that the songs that do are bad - in fact, they're still really good. Case in point is their cover of Nine Inch Nails "March of the Pigs." They put enough of their own flair and style into it that the song ends up more exciting than the original, a feat in-and-of itself. Bottom Line: This is one of more musically varied albums of this year, and I think Fordirelifesake really pulls it off here. Plenty of strange techno 'in-between' tracks, a cover superior to the original, and intense songwriting. This isn't for everyone, but I think this is at least worth checking out.

25 comments

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little mac_ 3/15/2005 8:55:23 PM

i think the songwriting on this record is good but the mix is awful. drums sound canny and don't blend with the guitars at all. it really prevents me from enjoying this record the way i think i could, and i'm usually not that big of a stickler for production

anonymous 3/15/2005 9:02:25 PM

i said back in august the night after i went to their hsow here and bought copy it was good. your like 5 months late lg

numerical_nightmare_ 3/15/2005 9:21:31 PM

is this brea, from LG's new sideproject?

numerical_nightmare_ 3/15/2005 9:22:21 PM

due to similarities of names and all

Andrew_ 3/15/2005 11:22:10 PM

This CD is amazing. Every release they put out is better than the last. I wish they were easier to keep up with.

LAMBGOAT BLOWS_ 3/15/2005 11:51:11 PM

After this review, I am no longer going to visit this site. Jesus f*cking christ you have to be kidding me

Waaaaaambulance driver_ 3/16/2005 3:21:28 AM

*loads previous poster into back of Waaaaambulance*

fordirelifesake_ 3/16/2005 6:51:20 AM

There is far too much filler in this album. The cover of NIN is weak at best. 5/10 is the true score bitch!

Html_ 3/16/2005 12:18:48 PM

Why doesn't Jesus still live?

OIOIOI!!!!!!!!_ 3/16/2005 1:03:01 PM

THis CD is great.... I really like this band, cuz they are actually cool guys and not lamoids playing gay shit... Plus they tour in Japan and Europe and leave all the State side kids wanking off....I give this CD to thumbs up

decent review_ 3/16/2005 2:03:40 PM

good review. good album. however i dont understand how anyone could say this band is overrated considering noone knows (unfortunatley) who this band is. they deserve more credit and exposure than given.

ipoopedinyourcloset_ 3/16/2005 2:41:30 PM

Never ceases to amaze me... This album isn't very good at all. I had trouble listening to it, and I tried on sevral occasions.

Sean_ 3/16/2005 6:59:17 PM

this cd rules.

die die die_ 3/16/2005 11:11:58 PM

good band.

DoctorDooom_ 3/17/2005 12:02:30 AM

I am going out to buy this record at Hot Topic right now!

arnold rimmer_ 3/17/2005 11:26:02 AM

The reviewer seems to have fallen victim to a newly mutated virus formally known as nu-metal now called fashionXcore. Hence the reason he was salivating at the mouth over this record. It blows, dont waste your money!

HAHHA_ 3/17/2005 5:33:17 PM

This reviewer is a gay no doubt. But this CD kicks.. everyone who made the hot topic comment probably bought thier clothes there... Tell Vin THorp his label sucks too....

blehh_ 3/17/2005 5:56:24 PM

its a tad disappointing compared to the likes of their "deluge split" & "breathing in is only half the function" cds. the nin cover was maybe not such a good option. but songs like "we are the company.." and "dependant on attention" just show the consistency of their sensational talent as a band - with the whacky riffs & melodies. fantastic.

coon_ 3/17/2005 7:15:01 PM

you idiots calling them fashioncore. Have you ever seen what fdls looks like? dirtbags. skidly f*ckers. i think your just pissed that youre ugly.

idiot_ 3/20/2005 12:50:21 PM

fordirelifesake are pretty far from fashionXcore. i think they might have been fashionable if they were a band in 96? but definatly not now. overrated??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! i'm pretty sure they rank up there with bands like everytime i die, as i lay dying and black dahlia murder in the overrated department. f*cking retards!!!

hxchris_ 3/20/2005 4:17:00 PM

These guys make amazing music. I first heard them years ago being that I live in the same area. and am accually surprised to see them on a lambgoat reveiw. p.s. I doubt you will find a thorp record at hot topic.

NotYourTypicalKid_ 3/23/2005 11:38:50 PM

This cd is absolutely amazing. Ive kept up with them, or have atleast tried, since their release of Breathing In Is Only Half The Function. I saw them once at a local show, and they are still by far the best band i have seen. Unfortunately, like what was said in earlier posts, this band is hard to keep up with. They had scheduled more shows at the venue i had seen them at, and the night came with everyone their anticipating their arrival, but they left us hanging. Other than that, id have t

justin_ 5/12/2005 11:44:27 AM

FDLS is good. that is all...just good.

OfWantAndMisery_ 6/23/2005 12:20:18 AM

good guys...great live...

grindcore_ 7/3/2006 2:25:05 AM

Indeed, this band is very good. They sound strikingly similar to Shai Halud.