Conversations - Ortega

Advantages: vocal varition, single strengths, lyrically sound
Disadvantages: at times, Richards' wailing screams...

...Having just been crowned 'Best British Band' at the 2005 Kerrang Awards, I thought it about time to revisit an old favourite of mine, Funeral For A Friends' 2003 full length debut, Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation. Having surfaced on the British rock scene in early 2003, the Welsh rockers unleashed their debut full length on the public around October time, and it was quickly lapped up by both Q, and Kerrang magazine - both branding them the finest British rock outfit in some considerable time. Yet, as is generally the norm, one week you're the press' darlings, next you're the latest sell out in the mainstream scene; therefore Matt Davies and his bandmates did little to let said praise go to their heads - rather they concentrated on getting their music heard, and their live show up and running. Their live gigs did a lot for them... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great tracks, creates a perfect uplifting listening experience
Disadvantages: Can feel too frantic, edgy at times - spoils the overall ambient flow

...BACKGROUND: Kruder & Dorfmeister are an Austrian duo - producers, djs, remixers - made up of Peter Kruder and Richard Dorfmeister. They are most famous for their remixes of hip-hop, pop, drum and bass, dance/electronica music. This album, "Conversions", they began mixing in June 1996, finally releasing in 1999 as both a CD and LP. It was their first full-length DJ album - despite being almost ten years old, it is still a very modern offering, and has definately stood the test of time. With music styles evolving so rapidly at the moment, it's nice to see an early K & D compilation still proving a highly enjoyable listening experience. ALBUM'S OVERALL FEEL: At an hour long, "Conversions" is a compilation of tracks by various artists, such as the early '90's "Ballistic Brothers" and fellow Austrian band "Count Basic", including one... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: great melodies, addictive after a few listenings, good sing-along songs
Disadvantages: the band not very well known - needs more recognition

...Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation is a new album by quite an unrecognised welsh band named Funeral For A Friend (F4AF in short). It is amazing how this band have only been around for 2 years starting off from a rather cheap local welsh band, and have now advanced to their albums getting sold in various popular retailers and their music and videos being performed on more popular channels or radio stations. The singing styles are almost all very melodic and have occasional aggressive screaming immersed from the multi-talented drummer. So, one thing for sure is that they are 'melodic' . Their music ranges between medium to heavy distortions with original, catchy, emotional, playful, or sometimes slightly cheesy riffs and melodies. They mainly play chords in a lower region of the guitar and are generally in a minor scale... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful