Four Letter Lie - What A Terrible Thing To Say

Band: Four Letter Lie
Album: What A Terrible Thing To Say
Genre: Popcore
Label: Victory

Tracks:
1. Cake Eater
2. Nothing But A Ghost
3. Pretty Ugly
4. Its Coming This Way
5. What A Terrible Thing To Say
6. Think Of Your Favorite Place
7. A Place Called Further
8. Pretend You Never Happened
9. I Dont Speak To Dead Men
10. Charlatan

A Flash in the pan. That's how many described, "Let Your Body Take Over," the debut album Four Letter Lie released through Victory Records in late 2006. The album boasted the moderate single, "Feel Like Fame," which showcased the singing ability's of guitarist Kevin Skaff quite heavily and left lead vocalist/screamer Brian Nagan in the shadows. However, when one spun the album, you found the screams were much more apparent than previously hinted through the lead single. After the release, Four Letter Lie [4LL] toured extensively and built a following until it was time to hit the studio once again. The result is, "What A Terrible Thing To Say," the 10 track Sophmore release that boasts not only solid instrumentation, but showcases the bands song writing and ability to perfect a balance between screaming and singing in their music.

The lead track, "Cake Eater," starts off with the lines, "You're gonna get yourself hurt," and from the sound, if this song were played live, that phrase may quite honest. The song is hard, but manages to incorporate a lot of singing and a more poppy guitar riff to help pull in all listeners. This is the perfect example of Four Letter Lie's biggest marketing edge: they make music that's hard enough for hardcore teens, but with enough catchy hooks and riffs to pull in pop punkers and rockers alike. From there, we move on to, "Nothing But A Ghost," which boasts more pop rock mix with double bass until the confident voice of Kevin Skaff comes in to welcome you until Brian jumps in with his vocals which constantly remind me of Spencer Chamberlain from Underoath. The guitars are showcased a bit more with Connor and Kevin switching from rock hooks, to breakdowns, and even a bit of light riffage. At this point, it became clear to me: Four Letter Lie has hit the target perfectly. The album continues on, mixing singing and screaming almost perfectly 50/50, with neither ever feeling forced or lacking necessity. Dereck Smith keeps the beat going with a solid performance on drums that keeps things fresh by not following the trend of keeping the double bass going when the guitars get heavy. Connor and Kevin keep the guitars going strong by injecting several songs with some of the catchiest riffs I've heard in quite some time while john Waltmann plays his bass like he's posessed. Brian's vocals really shine more on this album than before and I don't know if it's growth or simple production value, but tracks like, "Think of Your Favorite Place," I Don't Speak To Dead Men," and of course, "Cake Eater," make it apparent he is quickly becoming a frontman to be reckoned with. The album as a whole keeps going strong, never too fast or slowed to the point of boredom for about 43 minutes and you'll be tempted to hit repeat before you even get to the end. However, be sure to listen all the way through, as, "Charlatan," the closing track, showcases the growth of the band more than any other on the album. A somber beginning with amazing instrumentation builds and builds with Kevin delivering a near quivering vocal line and Derek wrecking his drum set. It leaves you wanting there to be a side two or another album just so you can what will happen next. I know it sounds like I'm describing a flawless album, but there are times when you get the feeling that maybe you've heard at least part of a song before, but with another listen, the positives of this album greatly outshine the minor flaws that are almost default in this genre.

All in all, Four Letter Lie have made themselves a prominent force to be rivaled through hard touring and constant promotion, and this album only helps to rectify all their hard work. "What A Terrible Thing To Say," is a more than solid debut that breathes fresh light into this wave of pop-punk/hardcore bands that seems to have popped up in the last two years and puts Four Letter Lie atop the artists not only on Victory, but on any label boasting that they rule this genre. The band is currently on tour now and will be for quite awhile, so I suggest you pick up this album and find where they are playing and go. You won't regret it.

GRADE: 7.5/10