Last Man Standing

Fr/action, ?????? | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: July 13, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cohaagen Music
• ASIN: B0002MIDGY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #574,114 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Fade In

2. Aftermath

3. The Living and the Dead

4. New Flesh

5. Partners in Crime

6. Interceptor

7. Walking the Edge

8. Irreversible

9. Ground Zero

10. Fade Out

11. Partners in Crime (CD-ROM video)

12. Vigilante (CD-ROM video)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible second album!, October 1, 2004

By 

Seth Hauser (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Last Man Standing (Audio CD)

One of the most unique things about Fr/Action is that instead of an album being a collection of songs, it's more of a story where each track is a chapter. "Crimes of the Future", the debut album, had the Vigilante (the main character) living in a decaying society, fighting for survival. In "Last Man Standing", an apparent nuclear holocaust has left the world in shambles, and the Vigilante is forced to become Mad Max in order to stay alive. The only classification for this is "Sci-Fi Music"... it's like a book set to an unrelenting dance-beat.

My over-riding favorite on the album is "Irreversible", which is probably my favorite Fr/Action song to date (ranking only slightly ahead of "City Nights", the B-side from the Vigilante EP). This track is often the first one I'll listen to before going back and playing the whole album. "The Living and the Dead" is also a great song with a catchy chorus, and "New Flesh" offers a very hopeful view of the Vigilante's fate in this new frontier. I also enjoy "Partners in Crime". Don't miss the music video on the enhanced CD-ROM! Definitely more creative than most music videos, this one tells a story just through the images that enhances the story of the Vigilante.

I have two small complaints about the disc, but they aren't enough for me to drop the rating from 5 stars. My biggest complaint is the fact that the songs have only one verse (a problem I had with "Crimes of the Future" as well). There is so much more room for content here, yet every single song has one verse, a chorus, repeat the first verse, repeat the chorus. A second verse in every song would definitely help to add much more depth to this story-telling adventure. As it stands, the content seems rather one-dimensional.

And my only other complaint is where do they go from here? Fr/Action has established themselves as more of a story than a band, so another album would practically be obligated to follow this format. In that respect, they may have painted themselves into a corner. How much story is there to tell here? Even Mad Max had only three chapters, and the last one was debatably rather lame. Can Fr/Action continue the story of the Vigilante in future albums and have any originality? This is a truly unique musical experience, but one that seems destined to have an end. There's only so much you can say about one guy fighting to stay alive in the future.

That aside, this album is excellent. We'll worry about the future later. Right now, it's all about the present, and this is a record any synthpop fan will be spinning for a long time to come.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The return of the Vigilante, September 12, 2004

By 

C. Price (Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Last Man Standing (Audio CD)

The return of the Vigilante

It's hard to believe that the first outing for Fr/action's Vigilante was back in 2002. He is back in the new album `Last Man Standing' and life hasn't got any easier for him! He continues to fight crime as the day of final judgement nears.

I can't tell you how much I was looking forward to the latest release from Fr/action, but I can say that it more than lives up to my expectations. As with `Crimes of the Future' this is a great collection of tracks that certainly don't disappoint. This album builds on the success of Crimes and takes those trademark beats and strong melodies to another level; the songs on Last Man Standing flow effortlessly from one to another and are all so easy to listen to. The greatest success of this CD is that it works on so many different levels; the music playing against a backdrop of moral decay in a world laid waste to by a nuclear holocaust, while the songs themselves tell the Vigilante's story. Not forgetting the tight beats, which are sure to be a hit on the dance floors.

An added bonus to the CD, as well as the couple of videos included on the disc, is a unique code that comes with each copy. Don't lose this, it will enable you to access a special area of the Fr/action web site - www.fractionhq.com - where exclusive remixes are waiting for you.

I loved Last Man Standing the first time I heard it, but if it's at all possible I like it more and more with each listen. The synths are impressive and the melodies are catchy, like me you're sure to have them playing in your head for some time afterwards but you won't mind! The original album is an old friend now; I have no doubt the same will be true of Last Man Standing. This is a great CD which just begs to be listened to; it's well worth the money so don't hesitate, order your copy today.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible 2nd release from Fr/action!, September 22, 2004

By 

Daniel G. Burke "D. Burke" (CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Last Man Standing (Audio CD)

Fr/action's 'Last Man Standing' is a post-nuclear-themed follow-up to the debut CD, 'Crimes of the Future'. From the first song (and sample), this CD holds the listener (and dancer) in a tight propulsive grip...bringing the brain and body online in an excellent fusion of percussion, melody and haunting vocal surfing over the top of the audio melee.

This is futurepop which easily ranks with T.O.Y., Covenant and VNV Nation. You won't need to wait for the CD to grow on you, the music just grabs you instantly and doesn't let go till the CD player has been quiet for several minutes. It's a treat for the DJ to get a floor moving and anyone who is looking for some solid, take-no-prisoner futurepop!

I give it a fraction of 5/5.