Farewell, My Love - Above It All (Review)

Arizona rockers Farewell, My Love have been together for five years and have released three EPs and an album. They're about to release their highly anticipated album, Above It All on Friday, July 22nd. They have included some neat promotions for fans who pre-order the album including handwritten lyrics, autographed pre-orders, and a chance to win the megaphone from their video for "Crazy". Above It All sees a change for the band and they've said it is "one of the most diverse albums this scene has heard in the past ten years. It's a testament to our perseverance despite everything we've been through as people".

"Welcome to the Beginning" opens the album with pounding drums and strings that help build the intensity. It's a great way to start the album and get the listener ready for what's to come. This track would be a great way to start a show, as well. It builds to "Burn Out The Night" which is the official welcome and introduction to the album. It's very hypnotic and carnivalesque as though it's drawing you into the album. There's a nice surprise of a shredding guitar solo near the end. "Crazy" the first single, continues the party with a more upbeat sound. Some of the vocals are sung through a megaphone which enhances the punch and gives it an interesting sound. "Maybe I" is a poppier, fun song that highlights Chad's vocals. It's one of the standouts on the album, for me. "Inside a Nightmare" is a fast-paced, roaring song that delivers raucous intensity and haunting layered vocals near the middle. "Make Believe" opens strongly and has some neat background instrumentation including keys and strings that really add to the song.

"Last Goodbye" is a more somber, lyric-driven song that is well suited for the middle of the album. "Skip the Memories II" starts as another somber song, but it quickly picks up the pace before slowing back down near the end with a neat spoken word element. "Above It All", the title track, has an uplifting message that fans will probably like a lot. I think it's another standout on the album. "Don't Wait for Me" has a great balance between being led by the vocals and being led by the instruments while "Hit or Miss" is more vocally driven and is another highlight for Chad's vocals. "Never Stop" is a return to the earlier rocking, fist pounding sound and is another standout on the album. The closer "Who Are You" wraps the album and highlights all the best things about this album. I really like the dual vocals at the end, which helps it build to a satisfying ending.

Overall, Above It All is a fun party from the beginning to the end. It's high intensity and shredding guitars at times and it's somber melodies and harmonious vocals at other times. I particularly like the attention to detail that's added throughout the album with the addition of background sounds including bells, strings, and keys that add to the dynamic and give it a layered, full sound. I think fans will be satisfied with this album and will find a lot to love about it. I recommend checking this out if you're a fan of My Chemical Romance or Avenged Sevenfold because you might find something you like here, as well!

Fuse premiered the album early. Pre-order Above It All on iTunes and find physical copies HERE.

-L.Burden