Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
A new chapter is always worth licking the fingers for in eager anticipation for, the feel of the new world as it opens up, flourishes, and takes root in your psyche, it is worth every second you have to wait for the plot to develop, for it to consume your own feelings in the story. You never disregard what went before, you don’t see the hero leave the stage, but you do commend the narrative turn, you realise that the players come and go, but that they are never a Passenger, they are just as important as the scene being set, and the tale being weaved.
For Federal Charm the territory explored is new, it is enticing and provocative, the heavier sound they employ is rich and perhaps a little tentative, but it is all the more demanding in its openness because of it. They say you can never tame a beast, never truly see it subdued, with snarling teeth and patience in its stride it feasts even without you knowing it, it consumes all around and each time it feeds, so the desire continues; a beast doesn’t need domesticating, it requires releasing, and that is exactly what Federal Charm have done with their new album, Passenger.
Joining Paul Bowe, L.D. Morawski, Josh Zahler and Kyle Ross on this new chapter in the life of the band, steps forward Tom Guyer on vocals, it is a meeting of minds which is serious, dynamic, with intent to see the pulse of the previous album and single releases continue in fine and dramatic force. It is a force that sets out to conquer, and with each passing track it fulfils its own destiny with grace and charm.
Across songs such as Choke, Death Rattle, the identifying issues that surrounds Nowhere Is Home, Concrete Creature and Halo, Federal Charm maintain the angst and sound that have brought them many admirers, but with the added temptation, the persuasion, of being part of something new, another direction, a new beast unleashed and allowed to roam free.
An album that resonates, that captures perhaps a similar vein in which other bands have taken in which to take a giant stride forward, an album which holds more than a Passenger, it is sturdy enough to carry an entire cargo manifold.
Federal Charm release Passenger on Friday 14th September.
Federal Charm will be joining The Bad Flowers and Those Damn Crows at The Chester Live Rooms on Sunday 23rd September.
Ian D. Hall