Search - Fightstar :: Grand Unification

It is big, but it's not entirely clever.

Bebbet_2k | Sunderland, UK | 05/01/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Following on from their tentatively, but ultimately well-received EP, Fightstar finally give us a full scale look at what they're all about: namely big, meaty chords; big, meaty vocals (from Simpson at least); big meaty production and, frankly, lackluster lyrics.



The band's talents are shown to their fullest on 'Grand Unification Pt 1', 'Paint Your Target' and 'Mono', though the ending of the latter demonstrates the over-eagerness of producer Colin Richardson to tack that little extra something to the some of the tracks and detract from their quality.



'Sleep Well Tonight' and 'Build an Army' on the other hand are both potentially good tracks spoiled by a feeble and unimaginative verse. Both have their moments, but the songs as a whole are very weak.



Then there are the lyrics:



"I'm alone and self-anaemic

But sometimes you wake up

If I could hold this rope inside my hands

You'd understand they let us down"

(Waste a Moment)



What...?



The whole album is full of verses put together for the sake of the rhyme and practically every track is about someone sleeping/waking too much/little. After Palahniuk's Laughter, we shouldn't be surprised, but the lyrics often jarr.



However, like Palahniuk's Laughter, this album is about the sound as a whole. Charlie Simpson's voice is perfectly suited to the music (perhaps why he sounded so rubbish when trying to sing pop songs). He regularly (and thankfully) drowns out singing partner Al Westaway and produces a sound you wouldn't expect from someone of his tender years. And there's little restraint to the playing; the band merrily going all out to fill each track with as much noise as possible, without it all becoming a tiresome drone, so expect to be banging your head a lot.



Grand Unification is a good, but not great, debut album and Fightstar need to garner some experience - as well as some more focused production and legible lyrics - if they're to have any hope of releasing a superior follow-up."

Pure Brilliance, Not A Second Wasted

gaz hill | England | 03/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ok i first heard fightstar awhile ago and have been very interested in the direction of this band. A major factor which i think was effective towards people is the lead singer Charlie, yes he was in a pop band, amazingly storming into the post hardcore seen and WOOOOOOOW!!!! pulling it off pretty damn good. I think he deserves massive credit and surely anyone knocking this band because of his presence should seriously back off. Now Fightstar, well like i said i've been keen to see what there music was going to sound like and have found a sound in their uniqueness, each and every song on Grand Unification is perfect, even the opening 1+ intro which draws in a sound of beauty and attention, the amazing cross over from to sleep into Grand unifacation is brilliant and the rest of the album follows on a high path of excellence. Dan Haigh plays some awesome bass quality is tight and timing is soooo good!

Ok break down of some tracks,

10. Mono- great sound here, amazing build up and final deliverance is outstanding, emotion is high here and the track blends so good.

3. Waste A Moment- awesome vocal work, bass is nice and powerful, one of fav's on album

5. Paint Your Target- the melody at the beggining plays great into the hard scream from charlie, again amazing bass, just pure genius

7. Last Conversation- another great melody played along to some more quality bass, one of the strongest chorous, heavy guitars

4. Sleep Well Tonight- a very strong and heavy track, Charlie gives it all here, sings his balls off, good emotion charged track

8. Lost Like Tears In The Rain- a great melody track, crossing from crunching hard riffs into soft and beautiful melody, drumming is solid and well paced

I could write a hell of alot more, but id rather you listened to it yourself, i am hugely fond of this album and from start to finish it blows out strong emotion, great lyrical and inspiraing musical talent, Fightstar the name i am so looking forward to seeing live, i also love the artwork in the booklet and cd cover and back. Best move ever for a band memeber of charlies background his talent shines through here proudly, Grand Unification rocks in so many ways, a solid album throughout, Fightstar reign supreme in my cd player now

FIGHTSTAR,FIGHTSTAR,FIGHTSTAR!!!! i wanna hear this chant at a live performance and i think the entire crowd will agree.

ps- i wrote this review late so excuse my spelling errors."

Amazing

Solaris | Ireland | 03/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really cant believe the lead singer of this band (charile simpson) use to be with teeth grinding kiddie pop band busted,but this album will blow all recollection of them away,its really amazing.the single "waste a moment" is great.if you want to listen to samples go to www.amazon.co.uk & check them out,if you like sinch,chevelle,trapt and three days grace you'll love these guys..."