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Album Details

• Artist: The Fully Down
• Album: No Fate...But What We Make For Ourselves
• Label: Pop Culture
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: challey on 2004-12-23

I've got to go ahead and get it off my chest; pop-punk is probably my least favorite genre out of every kind of music ever created. There's just something about grown men whining like pre-pubescent boys overtop of three high-pitched power chords that really grates on my nerves. Since I knew that The Fully Down was a new addition to this genre as I put the CD in my stereo, I wasn't exactly thrilled to listen to it, but over the course of the album a few surprises were thrown my way.

Unfortunately, many parts of this recording are exactly that sort of cliched, whiny punk that fills radio stations across the world. The band does, however, occasionally drift into other genres, which is especially reflected in the guitarwork. On songs such as "No Fate But What We Make For Ourselves" and "A Subtle Piece," a few Children of Bodom and Metallica-influenced riffs are thrown across otherwise typical sounding pop-punk and emo rhythm sections. These unexpected moments help the band stay just one notch above other bands of their kind.

The vocals are also impressive, although nothing outstanding. The melodies are surprisingly tight, especially on the album opener, "Never Enough." Vocalist Gab Bouchard's screams are not quite as irritating as those of bands such as New Found Glory, but if he attempted to sound more honest and raw (perhaps like Ian Mackaye of Fugazi), the overall sound would greatly benefit.

Like their fellow Canadians Sum 41, The Fully Down play pretty standard pop-punk and emo music with occasional metal sections placed in-between. It's certainly nothing revolutionary, but should be adequate for fans of the genre. The band certainly knows all the right formulas to eventually hit it big, even though they may not be quite talented enough to deserve it.

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