Sound. Color. Motion.
Artist: Farewell Flight
Label: Independent
Length: 11/42:59

From the research I’ve done, it seems I’m a bit late to the party where Farewell Flight is concerned.  _Sound.Color.Motion_. has been around in some form for quite some time, and the band has spent the last three years as road warriors trying to build a fanbase in a DIY fashion.  Embracing the “we’re a band that happens to be made up of Christians” ethic, rather than the “we’re a Christian band” approach seems to give them a bit more freedom and possibly more depth lyrically as a result.

“A Lullaby for Insomniacs” presents the idea that “hurt people just keep hurting people”, and is reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie circa 2004.  “Widower” falls in the Keane/Snow Patrol slot, while “Over” is somewhat the same, although the vocals feature the occasional Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) yelp.

“Phones” deals with pain of leaving, while “Sailor’s Mouth/Dragons” bridges the gap between Mat Kearney and Coldplay, with a staccato rap interlude, and lines like “all I need to fall in love is a heart.”  “Cruel” is an emo-ish track about childhood memories, and dealing with defense mechanisms and hardened hearts.  “The Usual Vernacular” is a cool bass driven number, while “America Will Break Your Heart” resembles Wilco or Chicago indie band Riviera.

My reticence in hearing this disc caused me to miss a local concert of theirs in March – their myspace page reveals they’ll be back in June.  With one more paying customer in attendance.  One of the best discs I’ve heard this year.

Brian A. Smith
19 April 2009