Customer Reviews

Heroine

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I first heard From First To Last's sophomore album "Heroine", I can admit I was totally turned off. After one listen I shelved the cd away never to see the light of day again. Now this could be my own fault because in my mind I hyped the cd up way too much. I mean with Ross Robinson producing what was promised to be FFTL's "darkest and most impressive effort yet", I had to have high expectations. However if I would have reviewed this album the day I got it, I probably would have given it a 1 star horrid review, and thankfully from my experience I learned not to. Actually to my surprise "Heroine" really began to attach itself to me, and I can't explain why. While it has little in common with the previous screamo/posthardcore persona that the band used to maintain, the album is indeed a progressive stepping stone in the group's evolution. After giving it a second chance and that much needed time to work its ways on me, I actually discovered I liked the album quite a bit, if not just for its oddity. With all complaints and skepticism aside, "Heroine" is probably one of the strangest, yet addicting listens you're likely to have this year.

My immediate disapproval on the disc initially came from it's total 180 from the FFTL sound of the past. For most who have been listening since the "Aesthetic" EP, it's no secret that the band's sound has seen a constant change and growth ever since Phil left the band. While their previous album and ep would definitely fall into the screamo/posthardcore genre, it's very difficult to classify the band's newest effort. Sure there's the screamo elements there, but a lot of the record has a very gritty, haunting feeling that distinctly sets From First To Last apart from their peers. After taking time to appreciate the record I can really understand why FFTL took this kind of turn. It's no secret the screamo trend is around every corner a listener turns right now. With "Heroine" FFTL boldly sets out to break the stereotype of what a "screamo" band should sound like. And with Ross Robinson behind the knobs in the studio, there was no better choice to bring out this side of the band.

Heavy hitters like the opener "Mothersound" and "World War Me" give the band a very rigid, stripped down sound, that hits fast and hard but also gives the listener a definite sense of melody. There's obviously some experimental tracks in the mix like "The Crows Are Coming For Us" and "Waves Goodbye" which rely highly on electronics and atmosphere to shape the sound around the listener. The guitar work is actually even more impressive than it's ever been before. Now this may be hard to believe at first considering the two previous efforts these guys have put forth, but listen to songs like "...And We All Have A Hell" and "Shame, Shame" and try to think otherwise. And with Derek continuing to dazzle on the drums, you'd be hard pressed to find a more musically talented band at this age. As for Sonny as a vocalist, he continues to grow and expand along with the band. There's definitely a maturity in his voice, especially compared to "Dear Diary...." While his croons can sometimes get overbearing, for the most part this is as good as he's ever sounded and I hope he continues to get better in the future because he has a lot of potential to become a really great singer.

While I have grown to appreciate the album more, I still feel there's some things wrong with it. First Derek's bass drum basically gets buried under the production. This is sad because he's such an amazing drummer, and some of his talent is a bit hard to hear. The only time it really shines is when the guitars fade out or do a breakdown and you can only hear the drums. Otherwise the bass drumming is kind of faint and hard to detect. Second there seems to be a lack of Matt's backing vocals this time around. If he is singing, it's usually along with Sonny. He doesn't get many solo vocal spots like he used to back in the band's early days. I don't know the reason for this, but I always liked his vocals in contrast to the lead vocalist (especially on the Aesthetic EP) and it would have been nice to see him a bit more throughout the album. Lastly, and also falling in the vocal department, there seems to be a definite lack of screaming this time around. Now this could be because of the new direction the band was taking (although check the excellent screams from Travis on "World War Me" and "Shame, Shame") or the fact that bassist/screamer John Weisberg was dismissed from the band last September, but whatever you want to attribute it to, there's no questioning the absence of screams found on the cd. Other than that besides a few duds here and there ("Afterbirth", "Waltz Moore") there's nothing else to complain about.

"Heroine" isn't going to be an easy listen for FFTL fans initially. But it would be wise to not make the same mistake I did and pass judgement on the cd immediately after one listen. If given the chance there's a very enjoyable and extremely unique album to be found in "Heroine." The key is to not go into this record expecting another "Dear Diary..." or "Aesthetic", because as much as I hate to admit it, there's never going to be another "Dear Diary..." or "Aesthetic." While it doesn't at all resemble the band that produced the previous two works, "Heroine" is a gratifying listen after time. It's not nearly as bad as I initially thought it to be. While it may not work for you, even after giving it time to grow, it's essential to listen to the album a few listens to let it sink in. After that if it's still no go, then just pass on it. However I'm sure most will find a creative album that took a lot of chances considering what the band is known for doing and what the public would expect. Congratulations From First To Last, you made me a believer.

I loved FFTL's last cd Dear Diary, and have heard countless people say how much better it is than Heroine. I, however, disagree. Heroine and Dear Diary are almost impossible to compare because they are so different it's almost hard to tell that it's the same band. Heroine makes Dear Diary seem very poppy in comparison, as this cd is much darker and moodier, with stronger vocals and more original melodies. Granted, FFTL's overall sound is not all that unique, but Sonny Moore's haunting vocals screaming out against heavy guitar riffs and even accompanied by opra-ish vocals in the last two songs make for an incredable cd. In my opinon, the best songs are World War Me, Shame Shame, Waves Goodbye, Heroine, and Mothersound. My least favorite song is The Crows are Coming for Us, but besides that all the songs are fantastic and I'd reccomend it for anyone.

Side note to any concerned parents looking at this album for their kids: Heroine is one of the only albums you can get in this genre that contains NO curse words except in the first two songs Mothersound and The Latest Plauge. The lyrics contain no negative or inappropriate subject matter and all in all this cd is appropriate for kids of all ages except for the first to tracks that use [...] a couple of times.

Despite their image, From First to Last always had one foot out of the emo door, particularly due to Sonny's self-mocking lyrics. With Heroine, though, the whole band has stepped outside the boundaries of the scene with a will; the album showcases a confidence, musicianship, and particularly a creativity that 'Dear Diary...' only hints at, not to mention that it's a whole lot darker.

I don't usually write reviews on here but it did seem that not enough people are praising this over their debut (or they're saying that the two can't be compared, which I disagree with). In my mind this is a complete revolution of their sound, a revolution unequivocally for the better; one that makes their first album look incredibly basic. Anyone with an interest in bands who push at the growing conformity of once 'alternative' scenes like hardcore (like Thrice with 'Vheissu' maybe, although in contrast FFTL have gone a whole lot heavier) should definitely look into this album.

If you're on here I expect you already know if you're going to like it, but just in case: one of my favourite things about the album is that it feels incredibly cohesive, so I would recommend any of the songs, but to start maybe try 'Mothersound' and 'The Crows Are Coming For Us' - those are particularly stand-out, but ultimately it's an fantastic album throughout!

The new album by From First To Last called Heroine is definitely one of the most anticipated releases of this year. The way true fans usually decide if the new stuff is as good as their classic (Dear Diary) is through direct comparison. I can tell you right now that that is not what should be done for Heroine. This album is filled with experimental sounds not heard on Dear Diary. I could not decide myself if I liked it or not. One of my favorite parts of Dear Diary was the fact that I could scream along to the lyrics with Sonny, but in Heroine there is much less emphasis on screaming and a lot more on setting an atmosphere for the listener, and in this case the atmosphere is very dark. Sonny's haunting voice could bring shivers down your back, especially in songs like "The Levy" and "Afterbirth". While other tracks such as "...And We All Have A Hell" and "World War Me" are more heavy and could be related to some from Dear Diary. You just have to accept the fact that FFTL has matured and changed their style. Complaining won't change it back, so I suggest you forget you're listening to FFTL when you hear Heroine for the first time, go into it with no expectations, and you will enjoy it very much, I promise.

I actually heard this CD before I had heard "Dear Diary,...", but I really didn't care much for Heroine. And then I got "Dear Diary..." which is an amazing cd, but I didn't think was as strong as this one.

People do disagree which cd is the best, but I like "Heroine" more than "Dear Diary...". Sonny's voice is more 'in your face' than the last one. The drums are amazing, but less heard. You will hear more guitar distortion, and more teching than "Dear Diary..."

There is not one song on this cd I do not like, but some take some growing to get you to like them, namely "Waltz Moore", and "Waves Goodbye", but they're great.

The guitars are amazing on the whole cd, but this time around they give a much darker sound. At the end of "Mothersound" there's amazing guitar solo.

Overall, it's a great effort from a band that we can expect many more awesome cds.

So, i've heard fftl before, with the dear diary album. quite a good album. this album sets a new stage for the metal genre, the track mothersound is quite good. the album has its own feeling, its own mood, which is quite rare of todays albums. the tracks flow from one after the other. i think the vocals are quite good as well, which are beautiful, look at the lyrics from track two, "the latest plague".
all in all, i've heard music from this genre and i like it. so it's obviously only natural that i like this album. BUT, i think that this album would be great for introducing new people into modern metalcore. it is quite creative and one of the few i've heard recently with guitar solos and vocals that i can actually understand :).

The weirdness...you open up the cd case...stare at the booklet and see matt good posing in a very weird open vested tight costume, sonny staring back at you, derek reading quitly and travis angerly indicating that the rage is still there...

The sound...half expecting some weird dance/trance work on the album...quarter sensing that the thing is gonna be hardout screaming!!!!!! or quarter sensing that bellows long notes shall be used....

Mothersound- OMFG wat the hell? this sounds so weird....second play...ok thats mad...third YEAH! HELL YEAH! 10/10

Latest Plague- Pretty sweet rhythm work....bit all over the place but i think it's purposeful 7.5/10

All have a Hell- Beautifully raged 7/10

Afterbirth- Still no scene of a more than two second scream. The majority of the album rated -8 are like this song. Sonny's notes, tightness of the band, rhythm experimentation and great production. How can you go passed a Producer who did Slipknot, Avenged and etc. FFS! 7/10

World War Me- SCREAMM!!!!!!! but thats it....give a lil taste of what Jon left behind from the last album. Other than that i assume Matt screams. 8/10

Shame Shame- For me, The standout track. Too good to miss. This is sorta of like a Note To Self, but it is produced better, that verse is sung better, and the whole song rips the listener out of the seat and makes you wave your head in a motion unlike a see saw 10/10

The Crows...- Good, Incubus style at the start (thought of it through the crows title). Weird experimentation seen again as a gospel choir is used in the last end of the song. Effective though. Makes the chorus kick your ass as you get back to it. REally great song. This is the epiphany of Sonny's work as singer...this demonstrates the range of the Man at only 18! 8.5/10

The Levy- What an opening! That note....scares the crap out of me. Love the structure of the song. A standout nonetheless, it still sits behind shame shame for me so 9.5/10. The Chorus is haunting....catchy yet eerie. And the notes, great

Waves Goodbye- A slow, soft song. It's set out like a pop song, you expect it to get strong and creep up on you and RAAAAAAAARRR! But it holds the softness, and goes into a technical beat...much like linkin park. Think linkin park instrumentals/dear diary's i liked you before.../TBS acoustic song. this is the song you play in the car with the parents in the car. 8/10

WAltz Moore- The song about the look of the E word! the lyrics cut deeper though, the song actually throws a role reversal, rather than the music/song/singing being the main focus the sound is dulled to accommidate the lyrics which eat at the listener. The end is prolonged which is a negative. Big climactic ending was held off too long 7.5/10

Heroine- Just get it. The band is structurally, soundly, and musically tight. Even without Jon and the lack of screaming, the album brings a focus to the band as now a genre breaking output. It's not your average punk/alternative album. This is better. It takes FFTL, opens it up and folds it into a paper crane which flies to the emotions of the listener. This song is also worth it. Download it if your not sure!

The album is definetly a standout.

9/10

Tracks(Download then get the album):
Mothersound
Shame Shame
The Levy

2006 is a big year for the small but popular chunk of rock that From First To Last have made a name for themselves in. There are numerous bands in this scene popping up all the time, but this year is all about the return of the veteran names who set a lot of the standards for this music and helped popularize it. And the "big dogs" are not only coming back, but it seems that they are raising the bar for themselves and their peers alike. Hawthorne Heights generally stayed true to basics but at least put forth some effort with "If Only You Were Lonely", and Matchbook Romance went above and beyond and just plain cleaned up with their heavily improved songwriting on "Voices". And with acts like Senses Fail, Taking Back Sunday, and Thursday(who only get better every time) all slated for releases throughout the year, we may just see the bands who kicked off this machine redefine it altogether.

From First To Last's "Heroine" is no exception to this motion. The band overall is a LOT more tighter on this release. The song structures feel more stable, fleshed out, and "complete". This release is darker, as well as more brooding, more impacting, and more heavily charged than the last. There is a great sense of momentum throughout the whole thing, it flows very well, and listening to this record feels like delving into something "big" and something deeper.

I've never had too much care for From First To Last before, or this whole category of rock for that matter, but I do quite enjoy this record and this year is definitely building my faith in these kinds of bands.

The new album "Heroine" is what I was really hoping to here from these guys. The new cd has a strange flow which is some thing you dont find in albums these days, Sonys voice has strengthened a whole lot since he has been in the band (knowing he was 16 when he joined) and everything will only go up from here.

first of all....i dont know what the hell this dude thinks below me...this definately isnt metalcore.....It's probably one of the most progressive sounds I have ever heard. Heroine is an amazing cd that sounds almost like nothing ive heard before, witha very dark vibe. It is very surprising to hear that a band gets even heavier, especially in comparison to Dear Diary, and the Aesthetic EP. This band has continued to evolve, and i already cant wait to hear whats cookin for the next album.