Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Further Seems Forever
The Moon Is Down



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks
Street Date: March 15, 2001


Dallas Taylor. Josh Scogin. Chris Carrabba. What do these names have in common? They are all legendary frontmen whose names will forever be synonymous with the bands they once fronted. Although Underoath (Taylor) and Norma Jean (Scogin) have survived quite capably without the voices that once defined their music, the same cannot be said with the formerly-Carrabba-fronted Further Seems Forever. Although they remained well respected within the Christian community as a resilient and forward-thinking band well after Chris Carrabba's departure, FSF never quite escaped the shadow of their first vocalist and The Moon Is Down, the only album they recorded together.

Those unfamiliar with this band have to ask: what is the big deal about The Moon Is Down? For that matter, what's the big deal about Chris Carrabba? Well, if you ask hardcore FSF fans, they wouldn't hesitate to tell you that The Moon Is Down is one the best emo albums ever made - an outstanding album that will go down as this band's single most defining work. Carrabba, meanwhile, has recently been hailed as one of the genre's eternal heroes - a voice that FSF has been hard-pressed to replace in the wake of his departure. That being said, are there any truths to these laudable descriptions? Well, not exactly…

Upon first listen, The Moon Is Down makes a rather unremarkable impression on the listener. It is melodic, yet hardly gripping. Stately, yet never quite powerful enough to grab your attention from start to finish. The Moon Is Down comes across as a pleasant, yet hardly engaging listen that passes by quickly without much of a fuss. It's not a boring record by any means, yet nothing about it will stick with the listener after the first couple of listens. The highlights on this album include the soaring title track, "The Bradley," "Snowbirds and Townies" and the hook-laden "Wearing Thin." The other tracks are merely passable emo anthems laden with superfluous sentimentality and suffering from the melodic aimlessness that occasionally characterizes FSF's songwriting.

As the album that introduced this band to its core audience, The Moon Is Down fulfills its purpose. The band's distinctive sound is already there; it's just that the songwriting isn't. There's nothing on this album that matches the accessibility of "The Sound," the majesty of "Light Up Ahead" or the sheer catchiness of "Hide Nothing." It's a formula they would improve on in later albums, but The Moon Is Down remains nothing more than a satisfactory listen. Without a doubt, this is one of the most over-rated debuts in alternative Christian music.

- Review date: 9/22/06 by Sherwin Frias



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
. Album length: 10 tracks
. Street Date: March 15, 2001
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. The Moon Is Down
  2. The Bradley
  3. Snowbirds And Townies
  4. Monachetti
  5. Madison Prep
  6. New Year's Project
  7. Just Until Sundown
  8. Pictures Of Shorelines
  9. Wearing Thin
  10. A New Desert Life

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images