Welsh outfit Funeral For A Friend have had a fairly quick ride to recognition in their native UK. A string of successful EP's quickly cemented them as a name act across the pond, leading to them both being compiled together for a North American release through Ferret soon after. Now aligning with Atlantic Records as well as Ferret for the North American release of this new full-length offering, the band appear to be on the verge of a breakthrough so many of their British and Welsh peers covet.

While their first EP saw them practicing a more angular post-hardcore oriented sound, their second one showcased a sensitive and commercially friendly approach. Unfortunately, it would appear that the band have continued in the direction of the latter on this effort, jamming out the standard 'edgy' emo inspired metal/rock that has rapidly polluted the youth of today. Of course the bands craft is ultimately more refined than it used to be, with stronger emphasis put on melody, choruses and glossier song-writing. But that's really not saying much as it just makes it sound even more similar to the recent output of acts like From Autumn To Ashes, Haste and others.

These factors and more make for a well produced and sharply packaged, yet ultimately uninspired sounding emocore release. There's acoustic ballads with strings, sullen vocals, chunky riffs and breakdowns in all the proper places, yet no raw friction or surprises to really make it amount to anything other than average. All we're left with is the same non-committal contrast of barked vocals, jarring riffs and emotive croons that are about as bland and commonplace as Nickelback-styled radio rock. Although not all of the material on hand here is entirely new (some older tracks have been resurrected) it still all flows together into one entirely too polished affair. With the band having practiced a heavier, less predictable direction in their past, it's a shame to see them settling to become so faceless. It's a solid release for what it is, but you could probably walk into a Hot Topic and hear 5 other bands doing the exact same thing, so why even bother?