If you haven't heard of them, it's about time. I'll be the first to admit they are nothing ground breaking, but if you want your CD of feel-good, up-beat summer anthems, here it is.FM Static-"Dear Diary" Review
By Matt Murray
Tooth & Nail Records is becoming a haven for underappreciated bands, and the release of FM Static’s “Dear Diary” only confirms the argument.
FM Static, side project of Thousand Foot Krutch’s Trevor McNevan and Steve Augustine, has been redefining the pop/rock genre since 2003.
Gone are the nasally vocals that pervade many of today’s pop-rock groups. McNevan’s voice has a thick, rich quality that gives FM Static’s poppy refrains a full sound. Aside from his vocal range, his writing helps to set FM Static apart from its peers as well. McNevan walks a very fine line, finding a way to expresses a complete spectrum of emotions without ever letting FM Static lose their positive edge. Every song has a very up-beat feel from start to finish.
The concept album is based around the idea that each song is an entry in the diary of a teenager preparing to go off to college. Each song wrestles with different events and conflicts that many teens wrestle with, ranging from dating to religion.
The album’s opening track, “Boy Moves to a New Town with an Optimistic Outlook,” starts the album off on the right foot. The album’s protagonist has just moved into his new house at the start of his senior year of high school, and is exploring the realm of emotions that come along with that. Ultimately he decides that indifference is not an option as he sings, “I’m on a long journey through mountains of apathy and I’m not afraid to walk through.”
One of the album’s brightest spots is the duet between McNevan and Superchick’s Tricia Brock on the song “The Voyage of Beliefs.” The song follows the unnamed protagonist through his contemplation of his belief system. He wonders whether he truly believes in his religion or if he is just following in his family’s footsteps as he declares “I’m tired of making excuses. I need to decide for myself.” Brock plays his female counterpart, as she ponders the same dilemma. Her voice is the perfect complement to McNevan’s fast paced hooks, and the result is ideal.
FM Static may become the launching pad for their underappreciated label as “Dear Diary” is a great listen from start to finish, and is an album everyone needs to add to their collection. But when you pick it up, prepare for your head to hurt a little, because there are going to be too many hooks stuck in there for your brain to process. ..But trust me, it’s a good thing.
Key Tracks: Boy Moves to a New Town with an Optimistic Outlook, The Voyage of Beliefs, Take Me as I Am
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