Be Human Review

Released: Apr 20, 2009
Genre: Alternative Rock, Post-Hardcore
Label: Search And Destroy
Number Of Tracks: 12
The band has certainly spread their wings creatively for third album, Be Human. They introduce a full 16-piece orchestra and two vocal choirs which in many ways was a risk, but it has succeeded without doubt.

Sound:	9.5
Lyrics:	8.5
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9
Users rating:	8.9
Comments:	27

Featured review by: unregistered, on april 23, 2009

Sound: The band has certainly spread their wings creatively for third album, Be Human. They introduce a full 16-piece orchestra and two vocal choirs which in many ways was a risk, but it has succeeded without doubt. Overall the record has a very cinematic and soundtrack-like feel to it with all the new elements found here, but crucially they don't abandon the root of their original sound.

Efforts range from mid-paced rockers (Calling On All Stations, The English Way), epic builders which use the orchestration to magnificent effect (War Machine, Give Me The Sky, Follow Me Into The Darknes), high octane heaviness (Colours Bleed To Red, Chemical Blood, Damocles) and some of their lighter efforts to date (Never Change, Mercury Summer, Tonight We Burn). They also experiment with the Muse-esq mid-album track, Whisperer, which has a foot tapping beat and hooky guitars. All the styles covered mean that while as a full listen it isn't quite as coherent as previous efforts, it never strays into a bland or formulaic experience. Full credit must be given for the sheer ambition and execution of the ideas put forward here. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Lyrically, the album is perhaps the bands most positive and uplifting set of tracks thus far in their short career. "The English Way" is an optimistic take on trying to reclaim national pride and traditions. "Mercury Summer", "Give Me The Sky" and "Tonight We Burn" are all about being happy in love. However, things are nicely mixed up as the band also dip into subject's such as anti-war ("War Machine"), knife crime in the UK ("Damocles") and anti-establishment with "Calling On All Stations". Main vocal duties are once again performed by Simpson, with Westaway only taking over main duties on the electronic "Tonight We Burn". The double harmonies work best on tracks like "Colours Bleed To Red" and "Mercury Summer". Simpson's deep and husky voice clashes against Westaway's softer tones extremely well. However, it would have been nice to hear the latter a bit more throughout the whole album. // 8

Impression: Overall, this album is an extremely impressive effort from the London four-piece. They keep expanding and pushing the boundaries with their song writing and with all the different styles attempted throughout the 12 tracks, it provides a compelling listen. The orchestra plays a huge part throughout and adds a new dimension all together, it makes the whole album feel like a big journey from start to finish. This is definitely a new direction for the band as they successfully combine the heavy, the soft and the epic all into 46 minutes. // 9

overall: 9

Reviewed by: AwesomeDrummer, on april 28, 2009

Sound: Over the past few years, the infamous post-hardcore/alternative rock band Fightstar, have battled with speculation of their sound, and the occasional poser comment, thrown mostly at lead singer and guitarist, Charlie Simpson, for his multiple year stint in the teen pop band "Busted". Yet, instead of retreating and hiding away, the 4 british blokes have fought, much like their name, and developed respect amongst their peers. On the latest record, "Be Human", they've managed to produce their most creative and diverse album to date, with powerful choirs and a 16-piece orchestra which sets the mood in many pieces, such as "War Machine" and the album opener, "Calling All stations". Yet, the Fightstar that fans have always known is by far still apparent, with the Rhythm section of Omar and Dan as solid as ever on tracks such as "The English Way". // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The Two Vocalists of Fightstar, Charlie and Alex, are two men with completely opposite voices, which in turn sets for great harmonies and melodies. Charlie, the main lead vocalist, has a masculine voice which has been compared to that of Kurt Cobain', and a falsetto which could almost compare to that of muse singer, Matt Bellamy. Whereas Alex has a far higher voice, used excellently in the softer songs on the album. The album's lyrics (as commented by the band themselves) talks about issues of humanity, yet has a positive message to it, unlike previous albums "Grand Unification" and "One day son, this will all be yours".

Excellent melodies can be heard on the tracks "War Machine" and "Follow me into the darkness". // 9

Impression: Although some may say that this latest effort from fightstar is heading in the direction of the mainstream with tracks such as "Mercury Summer", "Never Change" and "Tonight we burn", it is clear, that the quartet are on the brink of a creative explosion. Although the originality hasn't shown itself completely yet, moments of it can be heard in tracks such as "Give me the sky" and "Follow me into the darkness". The group are exceptionally talented at their instruments, and have enabled an album that has the right balance of creativity and normality to it. Key tracks to the album are "Colours Bleed to red", "War Machine", "Follow me into the darkness", and "Mercury Summer". // 9

Comments

[Tomozaurus]

Best album ever.

[Felkara]

I wouldn't say their best, for me, nothing can top Grand Unification for me, but I think now they've truly embraced their progressive side with this album. It's brilliant.

[orrow_]

Its my least favourite of theirs for me. Having the orchestra and the choirs seems to have taken a lot of creative attention away from the other instruments and I find them quite generic because of it. Having said that, I still quite like the album, but it just doesnt measure up to the previous efforts for me.

[rko]

orrow_ wrote:

Its my least favourite of theirs for me. Having the orchestra and the choirs seems to have taken a lot of creative attention away from the other instruments and I find them quite generic because of it. Having said that, I still quite like the album, but it just doesnt measure up to the previous efforts for me.

My thoughts exactly

[picopunk]

This album is awesome. Defantly the right direction. I feel if they continued with the styles of the last album their sound might wear thin. But the orchestra just adds another awesome layer. Still post hardcore but its got some awsome new fightstar elements.

[Eyeball-Tickler]

Busted were better

[lukegjpotter]

Eyeball-Tickler wrote:

Busted were better

Are you serious?? Busted were for girls ONLY!!

This is album is great, "Tonight We Burn", "Mercury Summer" and "Follow Me Into The Darkness" are deadly.

[lukegjpotter]

Oh and I really like how they left Island Records because they wanted them to do a more Pop-ier album!!
Which is the reason the Chaz left Busted.

[Carl6661]

I saw these guys yesterday (:

They put on an amazing show, and the new album is pretty awesome in my opinion.

[Chrisiphone]

Tomozaurus wrote:

Best album ever.

I wouldn't push it that far.

It's a lot more poppier imo than the previous albums.

That said i'm going to see them live soon.

Busted rock!

[Build An Army]

Awesome Album!
Enough Said.

[brokenunder]

an alright album nothing special really i just dont think it is as epic as their last album =/ not really got any stand out songs i dont think

[hugh20]

Carl6661 wrote:

I saw these guys yesterday (:

They put on an amazing show, and the new album is pretty awesome in my opinion.

nice, i'm seeing them in 12 days.

[Fly-swatter]

excellent album. I dont think you can compare any of their albums to each other though because they are all completely different. It'll be interesting how they can transform this into a live show...but ill see on the 6th (for the fifth time of seeing them)

[Build An Army]

I feel as though they have targeted a larger audience this time round with 'Be Human' whereas before they seemed to prefer releasing albums aimed at the fans. Most of the tracks are more upbeat and catchy, perfect for the mainstream market. Thankfully all in keeping with the classic Fightstar drum beats and vocal styles though.

First time I heard the album I wasn't so sure what to make of it, I thought as they are still growing and developing as a band they might not be able to pull all the new elements off and make a successful album. At first I didn't think any songs really stood out as being dominant tracks or being favourites however after listening a few times I began to like the new edge they have (including the 16-piece orchestra and more creativity in their guitar work). It does make the songs sound much more "epic" and "grown up". I have started to think that I couldn’t chose a favourite song if I had too as I really enjoy listening to all of them. The more I listen, the more I like them all.

I think that including more songs in Drop C rather than the Drop D norm gives the orchestra much more space to work with and definitely gives the songs the "Epic" feel Fightstar have been going for.

Wish I was seeing them, god damn Uni! =(

[AwesomeDrummer]

Great album, certainly just as good as previous efforts, a good progression in sound, and they're showing some creativity by incorporating The orchestra and choir. Great band, looking forward to seeing them if they come to Australia.

[TheClincher]

I really enjoyed how Damocles was in drop A. A lot.

[bowdowntomono]

Really good album, not quite as good as One Day Son and Grand Unification for me, but still, I really like the new style. I love the epic sound they've always had, and putting the orchestra in just enhances that.
Though their best songs are still the heavier ones.

[Whisperer]

This album is a very big step from One Day Son and Grand Unification, and I think its a step in a good direction, although Grand Unification was amazing! But yeah Be Human is the best album on my shelf at the moment, Can't stop listening to the songs, and playing along

[RayToroIsAGod]

I thought it was very meh tbh, and I'm a huge fan. A lot of their b-sides from the first two albums were top notch.

[GoldSoundzUKNZ]

I wish it was available in New Zealand. I was a fan when I lived in the UK, but you can't get their stuff over here. Is is worth the 8 pounds plus 6 pounds postage from Amazon?

[Metallidan]

i love the album, and its use of the orchestra, i especially like 'War Machine'.
I struggle to see how they are going to play most of this new album live as i am seeing them tonight (Y)
its still a great album but i dont think it quite matches up agaist 'One day son' or 'Grand unification'

[spirit_master09]

I personally Enjoy the album very much they preveous work on one day son this will all be yours and grand unification are excellent but i like how they took a diffrent vibe for this album. the English Way, Murcury summer and Damocles take the cake for me some of my favorite tracks on the album and as soon as i get my copy of the cd its gunna be sweet. if only trustkill records ACUALLY got there other albums besides grand unification it would be SO much easier to get them instead of ebaying the shit out of everything

[lyonk55]

Fairly decent album. While I prefer the previous ones, this one definatly isn't bad. A bit mellower than I was expecting though...

[bassmaster454]

my favorite album so far and with all of them track 5 has been my favorite but on this one i can't have a favorite truly awsome

[11DJC11]

There are plenty of good songs on this album, although there's always one or two I don't like on all of their albums.

Usually the slower ones, because they are just so much better at the heavier stuff.

Chemical Blood is a pretty decent song, everyone seems to be neglecting it slightly =\

The main issue I have with this album is I think the Demo version of Colours Bleed (From the Mercury Summer CDS Single) is just so much better.

I'd put this album at like... Number 2 behind their very first album, because I love all of their first songs and B sides.

[bowdowntomono]

They've definitely been developing their sound ever since the first album. Quite a lot of the songs on GU sounded similar, though it's still one of my favourite albums ever. I like the fact they're experimenting, but they're managing to not stray too far from their origins.
I love orchestras.