With multi-genre crossovers currently all the rage in the ock and alternative scenes, critics are left to fumble desperately about for labels. Fair to Midland make it tougher than most: /p>
eo-prog or prog-core anyone? In any event, after two self-released albums, the Texan cult heroes renowned for their explosive live shows signed to the Serjical Strike label, run by System of a Down's Serj Tankian, a band that Fair occasionally tries to emulate, and cemented the deal with 2006's The Drawn and Quartered EP. Demo versions of "Kyla Cries Cologne" and "A Seafarer's Knot" were featured on that disc but appear on the group's stunning full-length Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True in all their glory. Producer David Bottrill gives the band a well-deserved epic sound, reminiscent of the '70s with a big, clean style that highlights the group's virtuosity and their amazing dynamics. Those dynamics come instantly into play on the set's opening number and first single, "Dance of the Manatee," as the group shift from U2-ish swelling, chiming, guitar passages into thundering hard rock. Singer Darroh Suddereth follows suit, careening between alt rock to classic ock vocals, then down into the menacing growl of metalcore. And it's the bandmembers' amazing ability to adroitly shift styles on a dime that impresses, but not as much as their talent to sound phenomenal in them all. Check out the lovely Spanish guitars on "Vice/Versa," the piano arpeggios on "April Fools and Eggmen," the funky rhythm and swooping keyboards on "Walls of Jericho," the haunting atmosphere of "Say When," and the assaultive guitar attacks across the set for proof. That latter number pulls the band at times into C&W, "April Fools" juxtaposes a tinge of U.K. folk with modern metal, while "A Seafarer's Knot" arguably catches them at their proggy best. "The Wife, The Kids, And the White Picket Fence" displays the band at their most epic, as the group slide straight into rousing emo. Once upon a time the quintet may have been no more than fair to middling, but now they're successfully reaching for greatness.
Aside from setting the new record for longest title in my CD collection, Fair to Midland's debut full-length also probably sets my record for most times I've listened to a CD with no clue of what to say about it. It is of course the case that I'm finding myself with a lack of words to describe how the music strikes me; the upshot of this is that apparently my vocabulary doesn't have enough posi...
More >
April Fools comes early with the release of “April Fools and Eggmen,” Fair To Midland’s fourth track off their Serjical Strike Debut, Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True. Check out the track now on the band’s Myspace – myspace.com/fairtomidland. The new album will hit stores on June 12. Fair To Midland head back out on the road with Flyleaf starting March 25th. F
More >
Fair To Midland have posted their third new track, “Walls of Jericho,” from our new album Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True. The new album is set to hit stores on June 12. We will join Flyleaf on March 28th for a string of shows that will culminate with our performance at Coachella on April 29th. To check out “Walls of Jericho” and all of the tour dates go to www
More >
Fair To Midland will hit the road with Flyleaf beginning March 28th in Beaumont, TX. The trek will run through late April leading up to our performance at Coachella in Indio, CA on April 29th. Fair To Midland have set a June 12th release date for their forthcoming Serjical Strike Debut LP, Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True. You can preview two new tracks on the band’s .
More >
We just posted “Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes”, their second track from our forthcoming Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True. We will release a new track from the album every week during February on our Myspace page. Last week’s release was the new studio version of “Dance Of The Manatee.” To check out the new songs go to www.myspace.com/fairtomidland. This is al
More >
Fair To Midland have posted the first single "Dance Of The Manatee" from their forthcoming Serjical Strike debut full-length, Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True, due out on April 24th. You can preview the track in its entirety on the band’s Myspace – www.myspace.com/fairtomidland. Fair To Midland will support Dir En Grey on their U.S. tour kicking off tonight in Ft. Laud
More >
Aside from setting the new record for longest title in my CD collection, Fair to Midland's debut full-length also probably sets my record for most times I've listened to a CD with no clue of what to say about it. It is of course the case that I'm finding myself with a lack of words to describe how the music strikes me; the upshot of this is that apparently my vocabulary doesn't have enough posi...
More >
April Fools comes early with the release of “April Fools and Eggmen,” Fair To Midland’s fourth track off their Serjical Strike Debut, Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True. Check out the track now on the band’s Myspace – myspace.com/fairtomidland. The new album will hit stores on June 12. Fair To Midland head back out on the road with Flyleaf starting March 25th. F
More >
Fair To Midland have posted their third new track, “Walls of Jericho,” from our new album Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True. The new album is set to hit stores on June 12. We will join Flyleaf on March 28th for a string of shows that will culminate with our performance at Coachella on April 29th. To check out “Walls of Jericho” and all of the tour dates go to www
More >
Fair To Midland will hit the road with Flyleaf beginning March 28th in Beaumont, TX. The trek will run through late April leading up to our performance at Coachella in Indio, CA on April 29th. Fair To Midland have set a June 12th release date for their forthcoming Serjical Strike Debut LP, Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True. You can preview two new tracks on the band’s .
More >
Fair To Midland have posted the first single "Dance Of The Manatee" from their forthcoming Serjical Strike debut full-length, Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True, due out on April 24th. You can preview the track in its entirety on the band’s Myspace – www.myspace.com/fairtomidland. Fair To Midland will support Dir En Grey on their U.S. tour kicking off tonight in Ft. Laud
More >
We just posted “Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes”, their second track from our forthcoming Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True. We will release a new track from the album every week during February on our Myspace page. Last week’s release was the new studio version of “Dance Of The Manatee.” To check out the new songs go to www.myspace.com/fairtomidland. This is al
More >
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True")
