The Other Half - Family of Fools

The Other Half

Family of Fools
electricsocial;2015

3.6 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

The Other Half aren’t doing anything new on their release Family of Fools they just happen to do it better than most of the bands attempting a similar sound. They make music that is comparable to The Walkmen, The Strokes and The Arctic Monkeys. It’s quintessential indie rock that for fans of the aforementioned bands should be a welcome addition to their collection. 

You ever hear a three-piece band and think to yourself “eh, they could use another guitarist or maybe a keyboard.” Well if it hasn’t happened to you, it’s happened to me and that’s NOT the case here. The production and recording quality helps but make no doubt about it, they maximize everything they can from their instruments. 

Let’s talk about that drumming. It’s exceptional and there's still no way you can get that sound using virtual instruments. The drummer can pull different beats from god knows where and is a huge part of the dynamic energy of this band. Who’s singing here the bassist or the guitarist? I have no idea but it doesn’t really matter because either way it's equally impressive. Buoyant bass lines combine with technically impressive guitar lines, which almost never rely on simplistic power chord progressions. 

The band starts with “Phases.” Don’t turn up the volume really loud because you can barely hear the music at first. It starts off intentionally soft and a little down the road the band gets going. “Phases” will most likely have you thinking of The Strokes when it comes to the music but the vocalist definitely has his own thing going. He also writes good lyrics. He sings, “Memories from long ago, you would / Take it as you should for me / In spite of what you said, “I am on my own.” Romance is naked to the bone / She burnt the map, in nothing flat, i'll take it back.”

“New Century Man” has that type of guitar playing you heard on “The Rat” by The Walkmen. He furiously slashes away at his guitar makes shards of white noise which get supported by a very in the pocket and creative rhythm section.

I enjoyed “Christopherson Dario” but if nothing else check this out for the drumming alone. The band closes strong with “Emrason” and “Off The Deep End.” “Off The Deep End” (and I might be wrong) sounds like a different singer. Either way I enjoyed it as much if not more than the previous vocal performances. The music here is also exceptional (I’m looking at you, guitar parts). 

I tip my hat to The Other Half. Family of Fools is consistently strong and delivers the goods.

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