Faux - hold this thought while I LOse My Head

Faux

Hold This Thought While I Lose My Head
self-released; 2013

3.7 out of 5

By Demiera Harris

What I really love most about the up-and-coming band Faux is just how down-to-earth these guys seem to be. Products of other bands and projects, they came together originally as part of a side project by the lead singer, but eventually expanded to create a full time sound. All throughout this album entitled Hold This Thought While I Lose My Head, your ears are entertained with guitars that are sometimes dirty, sometimes impressively fast, all technical; surprisingly pop-inspired vocals that range from hoarse whispers to high yells to smooth mids; and drums that not only keep the pace going but add exclamations at just the right places.

Some songs are more energetic sounding. “Arrows” kicks the album off almost immediately, featuring catchy riffs and drawing your interest quickly. Don’t let “Special” fool you; it starts quietly then kicks in with a sound reminiscent of Chevelle. The vocals on this song are grittier than many others featured on the album. “Imaginary Friend” makes great use of electronic sounding elements with a hard hitting rock beat. Featuring an impressive outro, this is the song that would open a mosh pit up anywhere, even in your own living room. Similarly, “Gasoline” has a beat that sounds much like how your car feels when you hit the gas. The drums are consistent and punctuating in this song. The vocals show versatility, hitting higher, more raw notes. 

In contrast, other songs are more emotional and smooth, such as “Shining Again.” The vocals really shine on “Wrong Stops & Politics” using an overlapping technique to add depth to the song. The acoustic guitar work is also a nice touch here. 

Finally, the album features songs that are interesting and creative, that captures your attention at different points. “Sweet Nothings” has a cool, intriguing beat that reveals itself most in the chorus. It defies the conventions of a 4/4 time signature, maintaining the same count but alternating chords differently than expected. It provides a nice punch. “I’m Not What You Need” really captures the alternative vibe, making full use of a persistent high tone and a thumping low end. The midrange vocals provide the perfect balance and the use of pauses serves to emphasize the rhythm even more. 

“Anesthesia” is truly the culmination of the album as a whole. The vocalist sings faster, which was a pleasant surprise based on the techniques used earlier. The guitar is also incredibly strong, with the strumming matching the faster pace of the vocals. The rest of the song is reflective and supportive; the drums are not present, replaced by a more prominent bass line. It ends the album on a consistent, even note. 

You can hear the time, effort, attention and care that went into this album – it’s the sort of music that makes you want to support the band so you can see what they’re going to come up with next. Hold This Thought While I Lose My Head is fun, reflective and refreshing, and is a great debut effort by a very talented band.

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