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Beloved
Failure On
2003, Solid State Records
Probably the most talked-about act Solid State unleashed in 2003, North Carolina quintet Beloved may not be the Second Coming some hype them to be, but man, are they something. How can a record that varies so little in tempo(not at all, in fact) be sorewarding? Answer: producer extraordinaire GGGarth, great lyrics, innovation and a vocal attack spanning numerous levels. Frontman Josh Moore supplies clean, poppish Further Seems Foreverish tones, while drummer Joe Musten brings an open-grave snarl to the mix. Between them, the vocals are immense, and you‘d do well not to cross them.
Failure On‘s theme is just that: failing, and moving on, and I‘m at a loss for words why this is just so good. Belovedspecialize in Dead Poetic like, heartfelt vocal lines over steady 4/4 rhythms before descending into a crunching aggro breakdown under suddenly-enraged screaming. Several times, this firebomb isn‘t enough, and the sound digs even deeper - truly impressive, especially in a live setting in a small club, where the tri-guitar attack just kills.
I‘m not sure whether Failure On will have staying power; its main drawback is its unchanging, unhurried pace and predictability. but hear this: occasionally you know what‘s coming, but instead of ruining the effect, in Beloved‘s case it merely heightens the anticipation. Quake, earthlings.