There’s a lot to be said about the human condition. Musicians have been talking about it since the concept of music was invented. One of the many things to be said about our species is we are full of contradictions. Walking, talking paradoxes. Using this as their launch pad, rock project They Fell From The Sky release their debut album, Decade.
Formed in 2008, They Fell From The Sky is the brain child of Jason Bowld (Bullet For My Valentine) and Colin Doran (Hundred Reasons). Originally meant to be a songwriting project with guitarist Dave Draper, Decade began to take shape. 13 years later, Decade gives us ten tracks and a lot of expectations.
For anyone expecting something close to the metal powerhouse of Bullet For My Valentine, it would be best to park those thoughts for an hour. Leaning closer to the alt rock affiliations of Hundred Reasons, Decade is an emotional look at what it is to be human. Coming out of one monolithic shadow, however, plants them in another.
“I’m stronger for my trials” Doran proclaims in opening ‘Dry’. Bowld frantically counts in what promises to be a track worth waiting for. Yet the typical alt rock wall of chords leaves us underwhelmed. ‘Can’t Think Of Anything’’s harsher sounding chord progression sparks hope as it peters out into a melodic riff. An aspiring anthemic chorus attempts to keep up the pace of a frantic mind yet gets lost in thought.
Among the chaotic energies akin to Rise Against sat in songs such as ‘Take Or Leave It’, or the All American Rejects style ballad ‘The Line’, hide gems of potential. ‘Crush This World’ energises us for a revolution. Prompting us to fight back against those who have wronged us, Doran’s delivery borders on militant. As if through a megaphone, this vocalist’s shouts engage the punk rock spirit of rebelling against authority. This aggression is music to the ears which serenades us with game changing ‘Mantrap’. A speedy rhythm section becomes the solid foundation for wrecking ball riffs. Whispers in the intro crawl up our spines. “Get a load of the pain I bring you” Doran snarls in a bout of ruthless aggression which seems much more suited for this band.
Decade has been a long time coming. Perhaps a little too long. They Fell From The Sky came with huge expectations, fighting against the legacies of their parent bands. There are many side projects who manage to do this and break away from where they came from. However, there are many others who don’t. They Fell From The Sky unfortunately falls into the latter. There is potential there for this project to be better than good.