Album Cover; Photo Courtesy of The Funeral Portrait's Facebook page
For the Dearly Departed
by The Funeral Portrait
I first learned about The Funeral Portrait about three months ago when I was emailed their debut album, For the Dearly Departed, mp3s. I was skeptical after doing a bit of research, because TFP is the definition of unknown band. Because of their limited fan base, I assumed mediocrity. I can tell you right now that I never could have been more wrong.
As I hit the play button to song one, “Casanova (C’est La Vie),” a catchy riff filled my ears. A light background of cymbal accompanies the perfect balance of guitar and synthesizer until all fades away into a melancholy chord. At this point, a musty, semi-deep voice sings out, “I’d rather bury you alive than bear the burden that you keep ‘cause you’re a poison in my veins. I’ll never say surrender.” A quick transition leads the listener into the gloriously upbeat sounds of pop rock that feature clever guitar work mixed with strategic drumming that adds excellent splashes of sound. The most curious voice leads the entire ensemble, weaving and winding with a Serj Tankian-esque timbre and five-star range.
The track listing for this six-song masterpiece is:
1. Casanova (C’est La Vie)
2. A River In Egypt
3. All My Circuits
4. Marrow
5. The Optimist
6. Wax Romantic
My personal favourite is hands-down track one, but from taking a look at fans’ comments, “Wax Romantic” is a unanimously adulated (this is one of my vocabulary words for English class, so I had to use it!) track.
“Wax Romantic” starts out more as a tribute to the metalcore scene, featuring vicious screams and a driving, punk-reminiscent drumbeat. However, this doesn’t last long; within thirty seconds, The Funeral Portrait returns to their trademark sound that draws from pop, ska, and polka but always stay true to the instrumental intelligences of rock and metal. Next comes the catchy chorus that they are so excellent at crafting: “this is the part where I apologize for everything I’ve done, and when my world is torn asunder, will you go underneath with me?”
Track three, “All My Circuits,” I find quite compelling. An opening with a soft vocal line backed with light minor chords swells into a rage of sound before sliding into a call response between clean vocals and gruff chants, and later the inevitable chorus that will not leave your head for days.
I personally think that The Funeral Portrait is my greatest musical discovery since Nothing More and Affiance. Their music is brilliantly written, and the members are at heart true musicians. If they play their cards right, they will become the next big rock band. So I insist, go on iTunes right now and purchase this EP. You will not in any way regret it, and if for some reason you do, well—you won’t so I won’t even bother coming up with something for that.
As I hit the play button to song one, “Casanova (C’est La Vie),” a catchy riff filled my ears. A light background of cymbal accompanies the perfect balance of guitar and synthesizer until all fades away into a melancholy chord. At this point, a musty, semi-deep voice sings out, “I’d rather bury you alive than bear the burden that you keep ‘cause you’re a poison in my veins. I’ll never say surrender.” A quick transition leads the listener into the gloriously upbeat sounds of pop rock that feature clever guitar work mixed with strategic drumming that adds excellent splashes of sound. The most curious voice leads the entire ensemble, weaving and winding with a Serj Tankian-esque timbre and five-star range.
The track listing for this six-song masterpiece is:
1. Casanova (C’est La Vie)
2. A River In Egypt
3. All My Circuits
4. Marrow
5. The Optimist
6. Wax Romantic
My personal favourite is hands-down track one, but from taking a look at fans’ comments, “Wax Romantic” is a unanimously adulated (this is one of my vocabulary words for English class, so I had to use it!) track.
“Wax Romantic” starts out more as a tribute to the metalcore scene, featuring vicious screams and a driving, punk-reminiscent drumbeat. However, this doesn’t last long; within thirty seconds, The Funeral Portrait returns to their trademark sound that draws from pop, ska, and polka but always stay true to the instrumental intelligences of rock and metal. Next comes the catchy chorus that they are so excellent at crafting: “this is the part where I apologize for everything I’ve done, and when my world is torn asunder, will you go underneath with me?”
Track three, “All My Circuits,” I find quite compelling. An opening with a soft vocal line backed with light minor chords swells into a rage of sound before sliding into a call response between clean vocals and gruff chants, and later the inevitable chorus that will not leave your head for days.
I personally think that The Funeral Portrait is my greatest musical discovery since Nothing More and Affiance. Their music is brilliantly written, and the members are at heart true musicians. If they play their cards right, they will become the next big rock band. So I insist, go on iTunes right now and purchase this EP. You will not in any way regret it, and if for some reason you do, well—you won’t so I won’t even bother coming up with something for that.
Feel free to check out their Facebook or go find their music on iTunes!
The Funeral Portrait is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is signed to Revival Recordings.
The Funeral Portrait is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is signed to Revival Recordings.
 | Zoe Adler is a music journalist from Long Beach, California. Besides her website, which is her pride and joy, she works with the GRAMMY Foundation and the Long Beach Independent. Additionally, Ms. Adler is a musician, spending half of her time playing the flute, piccolo, trombone, and marching baritone. She has been with TeenView Music since the very start and hopes to make something of it in the future. |
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