Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 Diverse, grandoise, epic! April 23, 2009
C. J. Lewis (Shrewsbury, England)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Following the implosion of former record label, Gut (via Institute Recordings) last year, Fightstar decided to form a joint venture with their management team (Search and Destroy Records) and self fund their third album. It was a risk, but much like Charlie Simpson's brave move to steer away from the manufactured pop word of Busted in search for respect and credibility with his new band, it appears to have paid off.
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br /The quartet take a new, experimental step with Be Human whilst still maintaining their post-hardcore roots. You have to credit the four-piece for constantly trying to evolve their sound and clearly not wanting to be pigeon-holed into any particular genre. Co-produced with long term friend, Carl Bown, they drafted in a full 16-piece orchestra and school choir to create a diverse and ultimately huge sounding offering.
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br /Opener, "Calling On All Stations", starts with slow orchestration under Simpson's soft vocals which leads into a powerful, guitar driven number. First single, "The English Way" introduces the choir to magnificent effect. The song is an anthemic sing-a-long with Dan Haigh showing off his talents with some buzzing bass lines. Latest single, "Mercury Summer" presents the band at their most melodic. A light and breezy number as a whole, it's perfectly executed with the duel harmonies of Simpson and Westaway.
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br /"War Machine" is undoubtedly a stand out. The track has a distinctive, cinematic feel to it with the haunting strings and choir vocals to build a crescendo of noise. This could easily be the best track the band has ever written. Heavier moments can be found in tracks like "Colours Bleed To Red", "Chemical Blood" and "Damocles". The latter two combine the growling screams of Simpson with urgent strings whilst still showcasing powerful melodies.
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br /One factor the band is often criticised for is the willingness to wear each member's influences on their sleeves. Arguably, this factor remains on the record. "The Whisperer" has Muse written all over it with its foot-tapping beat and hooky choruses. "Never Change" has a middle section harmony reminiscent of Weezer, while "Give Me The Sky" could easily be mistaken as a tribute for The Cure with its versus. But ultimately, the tracks don't suffer for it. They merely present the diversity of sounds found on this 12-track album.
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br /"Tonight We Burn" is the electronic moment of the record. Preliminary lead by Westaway's soft vocals, it rides on top of the drum beats of Omar Abidi to create a track which proves a huge grower upon repeat listens.
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br /The band chose to end the 46 minutes of running time with the ambient and epic builder "Follow Me Into The Darkness". This is the albums post-rock moment with beautiful violin's preceding a wall of passion with guitars, strings and piano.
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br /As a complete body of work, this record ebbs and flows wonderfully to create a diverse and fulfilling set of tracks. Whilst the influences taken to create these songs are laid bare, it's an ambitious attempt that pays off which will surely allow the band to shake off Simpson's past and stand proud in the British alternative scene.
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br /4.5/5
Top drawer! June 1, 2009
R. Holding
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Be Human [Explicit]
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br /This album is fantastic. I used to be one of those people who associated this band with Busted and therefore would not imagine listening to their music, let alone buying their album.
br /I bought One Day Son... and was massively impressed with the album, so this one was a must for me, and I've got to say that it is better than One Day Son..., the songs are maybe not as catchy but from my point of view that just means that you don't get fed up of them so quickly. There is a perfect mix of shouting/singing and the music is as always brilliant.
br /Fightstar should be a lot bigger than they are, and this can only be because people are narrow-minded about the B-word, I recommend that anyone who refuses to listen because of that should think again.
Wow. April 19, 2009
Matthew Ordish
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am blown away by the talent these guys have shown. From first track to last I have begun to understand what makes these rock genius's original. No on can replicate the soothing yet harsh vocals of Charlie Simpson, trust me, who are busted? They have left thier old ways behind but still found room to keep the hooking choruses and also omars huge pounding presence on the drums is second to none. If you are even pondering choosing this album, dont take my word for it, buy it! Its easily my best review i have given out and will tell you once and for all this is worth it.
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br /Best Tracks-War Machine, Never Change, Calling On All Stations.
br /Best Download-Mercury Summer, Mercury Summer EP-Avaliable on iTunes, £1.99.
br /Worst Track-Wow, If I Had To Choose, Damocles, Bit Too Heavy For My Liking.
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br /Overall Rating-9.8/10..GET IT
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br /Matt.
Free Roaming Fightstar April 19, 2009
M. Fuller (England)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is the first time that Fightstar have had full creative control over the album and it shows. The use of choirs, an orchestra and mild Enter Shikari-esque electronics coupled with the old guitars and screaming vocals make this a highly versatile, atmospheric album.
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br /The opening track, "Calling On All Stations" is a seeming attack on the corporate nature of the music industry which Charlie in particular, hasnt had a great time in dealing with. Violins are in effect here but the aggressive nature of the lyrics isnt reflected in the vocal style.
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br /First single "The English Way" appears to have set the tone last year, fits well on the album.
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br /"War Machine" Truly epic, enough said.
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br /"Never Change" Not usual Fightstar territory for subject matter, its pretty good, but once again might work better with more aggression.
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br /"Colours Bleed To Red" Finally Alex gets to do some singing (Who I actually prefer), but still not enough. Similar to "I Am The Message" off One Day Son. Hugely powerful finish.
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br /"The Whisperer" The songs only weak album, and it is weak. Poppy guitars during the verse which I just found annoying, a far cry from Grand Unification.
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br /"Mercury Summer" Second Single released just a couple of weeks ago, a song that increased their appeal to the mainstream which some(indeed myself) might not see that as the greatest thing, but its still a belter.
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br /"Give Me The Sky" Slightly ponderous ballad but still effortlessly listenable. Comparable to "Amaze Us".
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br /"Chemical Blood" The string section is back folks, and with a vengeance. Brilliant vocal changes from Charlie.
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br /"Tonight We Burn" I'll admit it doesn't start well, sounding like going down the road of "The Whisperer" but a quick change of pace and it turns into something oddly melodic. The only song on the album where Alex leads on vocals.
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br /"Damocles" Talk about your odd subject matter, however it is immense. Momentous intro which involves those electronics before switching to screaming vocals and heavy guitars.
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br /"Follow Me Into The Darkness" Similar to the "Tannhauser Gate"/"Last Common Ancestor" combo at the end One Day Son with a softie following a heavy track. This is a truely majestic ballad, but why theres a dolphin call in there at one point I will never know.
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br /This album isn't really comparable Grand Unification as it is completely different, its a continuation of the road that started with One Day Son. It's largely solid, with some truely brilliant tracks thrown in there. My only gripes are that Alex's vocal talents arent used enough and "The Whisperer" which I think should just be discarded and not allowed to discolour the album.
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AWSUM April 20, 2009
G. Pugson
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I loved the first 2 fightstar albums but i think this one is the best !!
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br /Be human - is not as heavy as the previous 2 and i think will appeal to a bigger variety of music fans.. which may be a good thing, as i think they are hugely under rated. This album has songs for everyone and a great mix. There are some songs which are like the whisper mercury summer ( pop/rock) to classic hard hitting fightstar in (colours bleed to red damocles). My personal favourite would be War machine, which has a bit of everything .. the only song i dont like on the album is Give me the sky!!. Overall this album will hopefully get fightstar some well deserved recognistion, and hopefully a few awards or at least some nominations !!!!!!! 9.5/10
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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