Four Letter Lie – A New Day – Review

Release Date: October 13th, 2009
Record Label: Victory Records
Genre: Rock

Four Letter Lie seems to never take a break. This five piece from MN has developed hectic tour habits and effort release schedules since forming back in 2005. Both their debut album “Let Your Body Take Over” and 2008′s “What a Terrible Thing to Say” sold fairly well, despite suffering from mixed reviews. Over the last year though, FLL has gone through major band/sound changes — one such case being the exodus of their guitarist and drummer, Kevin Skaff and Derek Smith. The average band would have just folded right then and there, but knowing their love for music (plus the several records they probably owe Victory Records per their contract), Four Letter Lie solidified a new line up and finished their junior album “A New Day.”

A very fitting title, seeing that the status quo from the night before (ie. previous record) has changed drastically. Gone are Kevin’s back up vocals, leaving only Brian Nagan‘s throat-heavy, raspy shouts for about 95% of the album (“My Surrender” features a bar or two of guest Jesse Barrera’s vocals). The subtraction of the balanced vocal duality, creates friction for the ears. Listeners can however still find smooth grooves in the fretwork. Which, believe me, is there. Also, John’s relocation from bass to guitar hasn’t phased Four Letter Lie‘s melodic guitars for one second. He instead involves a more thick sound that is prominent in bass technique for his new role, which leans more towards hard rock and less towards post-hardcore. I personally miss the abundant, carefree guitars of “What a Terrible Thing to Say,” but this solid yet simple approach seems to work for the band as it inhabits most of the albums tracks.

The other parts of “A New Day” follow their old post-hardcore ways, with harmonized riffs and throaty (Atreyu-like) shouts. One such track, “The Spell” feels like home for those that enjoyed their first full length — while the very next song “Strugglers” sounds like a dredging mess, complete with little more than 4 chords used during the whole song. It almost sounds like a down trodden Papa Roach. Normally bands start hitting a softer stride once they have moved on from a harder genre before it. Just look at Atreyu — the difference between Suicide Notes.. to The Curse to Lead Sails.. is almost uncanny. Four Letter Lie has seemingly followed the same route, opting for a more hard rockish sound. Of course, remnants of their post-hardcore days are littered all over “A New Day,” but they are watered down and ragged. Plus the one-sided vocals keep the album off-balance and scratchy.

“A New Day” is clearly a new path for the band, both musically and in identity. It’s true that change must occur for an artist to survive, but sometimes those changes can leave a sour taste in your mouth. The lack of clean vocal presence and the veering away from the fantastic (yet crowded) post-hardcore scene, in favor of a simplistic general rock one, leads Four Letter Lie sounding like a completely different act all together. One that can stand on its own — but will it be too much of a change for some? Most likely. ~Staff

Score: 3/5

Track Listing:
1. Daymaker
2. We’re All Sinners
3. Careless Lover
4. It’s Finally Over
5. My Surrender (ft Jesse Barrera)
6. The Spell
7. Strugglers
8. Key To The World
9. I’m Done Trying To Make It
10. Young Hearts
11. Faces In Places