The Fall Of Troy - In the Unlikely Event
Rating
RIYL
Tera MelosProtest the Hero
Portugal. The Man
Release Date
10/06/2009
Label
Equal VisionTracklist
1. Panic Attack!2. Straight-Jacket Keelhauled
3. Battleship Graveyard
4. A Classic Case of Transference
5. Single
6. Empty the Clip, the King Has Been Slain, Long Live the Queen!
7. People and Their Lives
8. Dirty Pillow Talk
9. Nobody's Perfect
10. Webs
11. Walk of Fame
12. Nature Vs. Nurture
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The Fall of Troy is a gateway band. A few years ago when younger kids were just growing out of their Underoath phase with 2004's They're Only Chasing Safety, they began turning to new music. This meant looking for something heavier, which was either As I Lay Dying's Shadows are Security or The Fall of Troy's Doppelgänger. While some kids went in the generic metalcore direction, a few found The Fall of Troy's eccentric blend of post-hardcore and technical proficiency enthralling. Following Doppelgänger, the band was poised to release an album that was stronger, faster, even pushing musical limits further, but what did they put out instead? A poppy, experimental attempt to further alienate themselves from any single genre. While Manipulator was full of good tunes, it drove drones of fans away. Hearing something new and different, which was what attracted them to the band in the first place, was not what they were interested in this time around. Rounding the corner into the present, the band has parted ways with founding bassist Tim Ward, released an EP of re-recorded demo songs, and have found themselves at In the Unlikely Event. Doppelgänger fanboys, be forewarned: This is not the album you are looking for.
“Panic Attack!”, the album's first single and opening track, sounds like an expansion of Manipulator's sound. From the beginning, it is evident that the production on this album is much better than the bloated job done on the previous release. Thomas Erak's singing has also been polished off, sounding stronger and more consistent. Also notable is new bassist Frank Ene's slightly distorted playing peeking through. Tight and audible, he seems to fit in well. The second song, “Straight-Jacket Keelhauled,” sounds like an attempt to return to pre-Doppelgänger music with a Manipulator feel, and this is as close as the fans are going to get to something old. The band has certainly moved away from this style, as the song feels very unnatural for them.
“Battleship Graveyard” is one of the first songs on the album that truly sounds like new Fall of Troy. Combining the better singing of Manipulator and the precise, yet melodic guitar playing of Doppelgänger, it goes through many different effects-laden features and screamed portions that sound brand new for the band. The song pales in comparison to “A Classic Case of Transference,” however. This is a Fall of Troy pop song done right, and I mean completely right. A ridiculously infectious chorus plus funky guitars, melodic bass playing, and shimmering production on every note. This is easily one of my favorite songs of 2009 and already my favorite Fall of Troy song. “Single” is another track that sounds like something the band should be writing, with a chorus similar to “Semi-Fiction” from Manipulator.
Following another short song and the ever-changing epic “People and Their Lives,” we come to a song called “Dirty Pillow Talk”. Featuring none other than Canada's finest drunk, Rody Walker of Protest the Hero fame uses his lower set of pipes to add a nice touch to the song. The second half of the track is play time for Frank Ene's bass, and Thomas continues to layer his guitar in effects, just as he has in nearly every song. “Nobody's Perfect” begins with a melancholy riff that ends up fitting in well with Erak's blend of chaotic guitar playing and the band's new found pop sound. Also, following in the radio-rock vein, there is only one song on this record that isn't about a female or a failed relationship. This isn't that song. “Webs” continues with the melancholy writing and lyrics about girls, and “Walk of Fame” sounds like an album closer in its own right. The final song, “Nature Vs. Nurture,” is the typical mesh of styles, featuring some effects and writing choices that sound straight from a Pink Floyd cut. Thomas goes into a small spoken word section in the middle of the song, which is followed up by a great chord progression and guitar solo, and finally, the end of the album.
In the Unlikely Event is not a bad album by any means, but it's definitely going to be called out by former fans of the band. To those who can't handle a band's different incarnations, it will sound terrible, and that's unfortunate, because some of the songs on this album are very much worth a listen. Alas, people will still croon for Doppelgänger's missing sequel and will continue to be disappointed. For fans of the band who liked Manipulator, and for listeners in general who dig a band that doesn't always take the road most traveled, this is a great album which should keep you interested for a few runs. I for one enjoy the album quite a bit, and I will for sure keep spinning a few songs long after the newness wears off. Kudos to Erak and crew for writing the album they wanted to - hopefully they'll keep doing so in the future.
--Cody Rogers
Comments
Fishers, Indiana
This album's a grower thanks to Thom's clean vocals, but there are so many different facets of their sound to appreciate.
And at least I didn't take the bitch route and give it a one star without even listening to it, unlike certain a certain user who shares initials with Child Porn.
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Leeds, England
This band sucks now. It's like they just slowed everything down. Vocals sound out of tune to me. Some of the better parts sound like Kaddisfly's Chris Ruff, though.
And I'm sure Chris did listen to this - it just is pretty shitty.
Raleigh, NC
While I think the production on this is miles ahead of that on Manipulator, I think the vocals in some places aren't as strong as they could have been. There could have been some more time spent on them, but at this point, Thom and the band probably don't really care what people have to say about them.
Edmonton, AB
Infinitely Inwards
mediocre at best.
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Aborted - Global Flatline
Spawn of Possession - Incurso
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
PA
Zach's right. I didn't listen to all of it. That's because I wanted to maintain a pulse. That's how bad Tom's singing is. A few songs is enough for me to generate an idea of how terrible this CD is. 1 star is generous.
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Los Angeles
The music is not to bad but his vocals just keep getting worse.
Dallas, TX
I love Doppelganger, and I even really enjoyed Manipulator, but the vocals on this album are terrible and way too distracting. The riffs aren't bad on some of the songs, but it seems like they lost the overall energy of their past releases.
Fishers, Indiana
I'll agree the album is missing some energy and intensity, but it's quite apparent that it's a conscious shift and not just a "loss."
But I gotta say that I think Cody hits it on the head when he says, "but at this point, Thom and the band probably don't really care what people have to say about them."
They put out two very technical and intense albums that won them all sorts of praise, adoration and popularity. They were featured in Guitar Hero 3. Their fans were excited. (Except Chris. He didn't even like Doppelganger. :P) There are bands that will buy into this popularity and continue along one road. There are also bands that will NOT give the fans what they want and instead do what THEY, the band, want. Think dredg. They haven't tried to make another El Cielo to please fans; they haven't tried to make Another Catch Without Arms to please the industry. Think Minus the Bear. They didn't make another Menos El Oso to please fans and critics. TFoT won't be making another Doppelganger anytime soon.
Thus, constructive criticism is just lost on them. You can buy the new sound or sell it. They closed their forums for a reason.
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PA
Zach, that's untrue. Remember, that shitty album was partially shitty remakes of good songs. There's no saying TFoT won't write another set of new songs (I enjoyed just about all of the actual new songs on Doppleganger btw) and then throw 5 or so old songs on it. Unfortunately, this band can't write good songs anymore, so the entire album would be a shitfest, just like this one is. ;)
Seriously, I may actually like this if Tom didn't have a voice box.
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Fishers, Indiana
I don't know which part you're disagreeing with, and you're contradicting all over yourself. :P
You said Doppelganger was shitty, but then said that you enjoyed more than half of the album. Then you said they can't write good songs anymore and that any new album would be a shitfest, but then say you would actually like this album if Thom didn't sing like he's standing on tacks.
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Minnesota
Chris, I think you could use some of this...
Find me EVERYWHERE:
PA
Well if Decoy fixed the fucking quote shit than you'd know exactly which part I was referring to in your massive post. I specifically deleted everything but the one sentence my response was aimed at yet the entire fucking thing was there anyways. Sorry for my frustration. I heard a The Fall Of Troy song recently so.
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Fishers, Indiana
If you just wanted to quote one sentence you should've typed it yourself, you lazy asspatch.
[quote]Not that difficult, brah.[/quote]
edit: Shit. Yeah fuck decoy.
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Minnesota
There are some memorable songs and there are some not so memorable ones. I like this better than Manipulator, for what it's worth.
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