Track Listing:

1. Home
2. Built For Sin
3. Hear Me Now
4. Slow Dance
5. All In Your Hands
6. It's Not What They Said
7. 23 Days
8. Count Me In
9. Alone In This Bed (Capeside)
10. Wave Goodbye
11. The Fold

Album Review:

 
The biggest problem with Framing Hanley, a new group of Tennessee rockers trying to make their songs known, is that they sound too generic and don't take risks. Nothing on their new album surprises me. This isn't to say it's a bad record; it's not. But their debut album, The Moment, lacks a punch heard from bigger bands in the same genre; and it shows throughout the album.

The album opens with a strong song called "Home," which could easily be a smash hit on the rock charts. The simplistic groove of the bass mixed with very catchy verses work for this rock quintet. The vocalist, Kenneth Nixon, holds his own. There are moments where varied octaves are weaved together and it sounds absolutely divine. He's often the shining member in the band.

Most songs start out in a similar fashion: slow and steady, driving bass, quiet guitar. It's as if the band is building something they're not sure of; making it up as they go along. There are moments that don't fit for their overall style: The radio-friendly "Hear Me Now" has screaming of the lyrics "get on your knees," during the chorus. It feels forced, as if they're shooting for a harder image than their Emo bangs let on. I guarantee that Framing Hanley (who is named after a fan of theirs who was killed in a car crash) will be a perfect fit for most of the CW's drama shows. I can picture hearing them during Smallville, for sure.

"23 Days" opens differently and does surprise me a bit. A noodly lead line spills out from the speakers, but the song loses my interest after that. The second verse, if you stick around, brings that back for a moment while it merges with the original riff. "Alone in This Bed (Capeside)" is the clear ballad of the album; live, it must be a real tear-jerker for the ladies, with lighters dipping back and forth with every snare drum hit and sway. "Wave Goodbye" is just album filler, with a slow pace and more screaming lyrics that just don't work.

Overall, the boys do a good job presenting solid rock material with great hooks and drives that bring the listeners in, but overall, the music just feels generic. There are moments that show the band has the potential to really shine, but with The Moment, their songwriting feels weak. If you're looking for more of the same, welcome Framing Hanley with open arms.

Type 3 Rating:

 
| 10.30.2007 | Review by Michael Levy |