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Rating: The Neoprogressive Metal takes pride in being one of the most thriving and successful musical scenes of the past two decades.
Numerous groups blend the typical characteristics of Prog with genres that are even very different from each other, thus creating a variety of complex and quite diversified sounds, resulting in works of good quality.
"Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True" is undoubtedly one of these works.
The album in question is the fourth studio work by Fair To Midland, a Progressive/Alternative Metal band from overseas that has made its mark on the scene in recent years, thanks in particular to the success of this production "made in" Serjcal Records (Yes, you heard it right, the record label of Serj Tankian, known to most as the eclectic leader of System Of A Down).
The band, currently formed by frontman and vocalist Darroh Sudderth, guitarist Cliff Campbell, Matt Langley (keyboards), and the new members Brett Stowers and John Dicken (on drums and bass respectively), had already self-produced two albums and an EP without the backing of a record label.
Probably for this reason, "Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True" includes both previously unreleased tracks created expressly for this production and tracks from previous albums: an effective strategy to relaunch past works that went unnoticed and increase their popularity.
That said, let's delve into the characteristics of the album.
We can recognize influences of Heavy and Power Metal mixed with a more or less pronounced Post Rock/Math Rock sound. Also surprising is the presence of certain interludes reminiscent of the Punk Rock/Hardcore Punk scene.
What is most striking about this work is the naturalness with which these elements are blended to create an original mix with great personality. Powerful guitar riffs, free from excessive and pompous virtuosity (Unfortunately a prerogative of Progressive bands that draw from Power Metal elements), are accompanied by excellent bass lines, evocative keyboards, and a reasonably decent drum. The lyrics, never banal and with typically medieval themes, permeate the production with an epic and sustained atmosphere, without a moment of fatigue.
The only flaw that can be found is, at times, the lack of sound refinement which would have given the production much greater depth. For example, the absence of a suite is felt, which would have done justice to the technical abilities of the five artists, as well as generally the somewhat scant duration.
Therefore, I am hopeful for the next work of Fair To Midland, wishing them to find that compositional maturity they are practically close to.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Dance of the Manatee (04:10)
Take a little dive into the shallow or spy what do you sea?
I see the tortoise and the hare in a rat-race
And it fits like a glove under my sleeve
Just wait till then.
Their heads are the heaviest in operation,
he has still not lost imagination.
I can hear him mouth the whole ending -
just wait till then.
We marys had ourselves a ball.
Oh, yes we did.
We marys had ourselves a ball,
I must admit
Hang us those limbs hold no virtue.
Those told to hold: project on my cue.
Whether a he or a she, put your mouth where your money is.
Are the birds of a feather that clever?
If I knew I'd keep locks, that's a given, just wait till then.
Their heads cast shadows like skyscrapers.
Still small enough to fit up their asses
To put it all into perspective, with definition.
We marys had ourselves a ball.
Oh, yes we did.
We marys had ourselves a ball,
I must admit
Hang us those limbs hold no virtue.
Those told to hold: project on my cue.
Oh, take a gander the bigger they are the harder they fall.
Not needy you'll see, not needy
and I come with open arms over trees.
Not needy you'll see .
Listen to my proven guarantees while you're rolling up your sleeves,
beatin' on the chest.
But we can keep it in a jar when it's comin' cats and dogs for days.
We marys had ourselves a ball.
And I guarantee.
And what they've done for you they've done for me.
Hang us those limbs hold no virtue.
Those told to hold: project on my cue.
Hang us those limbs hold no virtue.
Those told to hold: project on my cue.
02 Kyla Cries Cologne (04:01)
And let me introduce you to a pair that strikes crude oil, but I see pyrite.
It is the same old pattern, the goose that feeds the gander.
They choose to act but not I.
Planting the seeds you sow,
Is easier than growing the rocks.
Let's go outside and it might restore us.
More for the fire that fights for the freeze now,
Mechanical.
So then the pair proceeded,
Another pulse defeated, can't say that I am surprised.
It is the fly trap's color that caused the fall into her.
What is the shade that you saw?
Planting the seeds you sow,
Is easier than growing the rocks.
Let's go outside and it might restore us.
More for the fire that fights for the freeze now,
Mechanical.
Bound by the salt, not your Earth,
The hat mocks the rabbit, while the bee stings the shark.
Stop the start, these are my disguises.
Planting the seeds you sow,
Is easier than growing the rocks.
Let's go outside and it might restore us.
More for the fire that fights for the freeze now.
Let's go outside and it might restore us,
More for the fire that fights for the freeze,
Mechanical.
03 Vice/Versa (03:55)
Mountains of molehills,
A grapevine in my ear.
Spots on the tiger while the townspeople gather to hear,
While the nest in my hands starve for rest.
Sticklers for cheap fun,
You oughta be ashamed,
To trade in your heirlooms,
For an all day black market parade.
For a grand prize a slap in the face.
For you.
Bold faced type covers your text,
It must have been winter.
Still frame, no dice.
Where do you get your evidence?
Move now, stay still.
It takes a luminescent hue.
The wood, the crest that's weaved outside your vest.
Still frame, no dice.
Loons light the skyline,
While you sleep on concrete with both your eyes open.
I just kept pullin' on both your feet.
Someday together we'll breathe, breathe.
For you.
Bold faced type covers your text,
It must have been winter.
Still frame, no dice.
Where do you get your evidence?
Move now, stay still.
It takes a luminescent hue.
The wood, the crest that's weaved outside your vest.
Still frame, no dice.
Roll down the windows,
I know there's a shortcut ahead.
The long drive home is taking its toll,
We just need to rest.
Still frame, no dice.
Where do you get your evidence?
Move now, stay still.
It takes a luminescent hue.
The wood, the crest that's weaved outside your vest.
Still frame, no dice.
05 April Fools and Eggmen (04:44)
Rest assured they're weighing words in sympathetic ink, and they don't waste their time suspending disbelief. they face the facts with thinking caps they map out and display, but that's not the only way. common sense won't pay the rent and doesn't grow on trees, but splitting hairs can get you anything you need. who would have though connecting dots might get you to the point? but charities and remedy, almost as much as modesty take the bait, and save however much it takes before you've made your wish, however much it takes. rest assured they're weighing words in sympathetic ink, and i don't waste my time suspending disbelief. masterminds want bottom lines to map out and display, if i have every bit of faith, i won't be turning in my grave. take the bait, and save however much it takes before you've made your wish, however much it takes. yeah take your own advice before you take a side run for middle ground take the bait, and save however much it takes before you've made your wish, however much it takes. before you lie in bed, however much it takes
06 A Seafarer's Knot (04:11)
Lucky are the leaves of the clover.
She's diggin' for chemistry with the butcher's tools.
Shifty are the eyes of the gambler.
He's making his tricks his trade,
And a job well done.
Through the motions waving wishes to your confidence and eloquence.
He's turning a-green from these envious glorious things.
Applied ambitious faith that can keep us all safe.
Invoking a blue that's meant for us too.
What small amazing things we will turn to rain.
Lucky is a deer in the headlights,
Those two are as thick as thieves, not a penny more.
Shaky are the hands of the gun shy,
He'd rather give up the ghost, then take flight.
Through the motions waving wishes to your confidence and eloquence.
He's turning a-green from these envious glorious things.
Applied ambitious faith that can keep us all safe.
Invoking a blue that's meant for us too.
What small amazing things we will turn to rain.
Gather 'round, hold your glasses up high.
Drink to love while we wait for high tide.
Keep it short, keep it brief,
You have my word.
Gather 'round while we wait for high tide.
He's turning a-green from these envious glorious things.
Applied ambitious faith that can keep us all safe.
Your spots,
Your seeds,
Lack fur,
We're all,
A mess,
As though,
We all have another . . .
08 The Walls of Jericho (03:46)
what dreams splendidly weaved from an atom bomb
retrieved from a teleprompt
practical you are not
'cause you break the ice with a cotton swab
a fever can cool us off
a handshake is a contact sport
no one was waiting to throw out the pilot
we'll float on the back of the winds that you send us
another tomorrow shedding the shade we made yesterday
disguised as the lightning, dissolving all of the thunder, then -
appeasing our monsters under the acrylic skies
another tomorrow fills up my front window
outlasting the west wind & building ourselves in
so fly, & grab my hand here comes the crash
i live for the strong impact that renders both our airbags
seven folds take very letter you send
don't fold if you're made to bend
rekindle the feud again
(bridge)
string up your harp
play like today will last five minutes
it wont take long to sing us a song to stop the sirens
sing us a song to stop the silence
10 Upgrade^Brigade (05:17)
Glow but don't shine
A fuse for a blueprint and these devices my hands built.
These roads want the rain and my raincoat,
drown in a flash flood.
For we are alive,
given air and not used to Al Fresco.
Does the sun know that today I forgot the zeros and ones?
Told you to conquer the rush and on Sunday I remembered paper beats rock.
Reached a mile high if I reached a foot.
Leopard skin is not above or beyond him, he's no more a prince than a frog is.
This round road should not have shed for a witness
or taken bites to avenge us.
He's not above or beyond, no more a price than a frog, for we are alive.
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By L.F.D.Y
"If you want to feel a little better about yourself, do your soul a favor and listen to this album."
"Sung divinely by a kick-ass singer like Darroh, at least 10 out of 12 songs are damn masterpieces."
