October Project - Falling Farther In

october project second cd still good but not like the 1 cd

No questions the first cd is the best but the second takes some credit also. January 11, 2007

Dissapointing

I bought it 60% off of $3 so really didn't lose that much. It's a good thing too. Although the music is good and the girl has a good voice, her voice does not work with the music that they play. She'd be much better off doing a solo project with the music that can play alongside her. It's starts sounding like a rock band and then comes in her voice, which doesn't work for rock at all. I'm not saying that "nobody in their right mind would like this cd", I just didn't really like the combination they had. January 14, 2006

Beautiful, lush and lyrical, but should be sold with prozac

I agree with all the positives that have been said about this undeniably beautiful album, but it is overwraught with apocalyptic neurosis. A few examples: "The world is falling apart / He's getting older / And there's a funeral in his heart;" "...where God has no image and man finds no grace;" "What dark time is coming / What dark time is here / The prophet emerges / In garments of fear." And on like that.
So, while lushly layered and beautifully instrumented, if one actually engages the message of the songs, the net result is quite depressing. And unlike with Toad the Wet Sprocket, which similarly carts an emotionally heavy wagon, there isn't a release through the inherent energy of the music. Similarly nuanced but less emotionally exhausting albums are Wild Colonials' "Fruit of Life," Zero 7's "Simple Things" and Delerium's "Poem".
Happy listening! December 27, 2005

Second Project From the Project

Continuing from where they left from their self-titled debut, "Falling Farther In" contains more of the moving music that they left us wanting. Mary Fahl's vocals continue to mezmerize and the writing is even better here than on the debut, as if that were even possible! I listen to this CD all of the time, I never tire of it, and have often skied to the Project' and Mary Fahl's vocals. Talk about inpirational music with her flowing vocals among the beautiful scenery.

Favorites on this CD are "Something More Than This," the title cut, "One Dream," and "Adam & Eve."

You can't go wrong with either of the 'Project's two CD's, and in my opinion both are must haves for any CD collection! April 24, 2005

A Subtly Textured Tapestry of Hope, Darkness and Yearning

"Falling Farther In," OP's second album/CD, bears out the potential evident in their lush, darkly gothic debut. For anyone wanting a "bottom line" review before I dig into details, I'd call this "alterna-goth-pop," with all of the best of many genres present (intelligence, originality, accessibility, a brooding sensibility) with none of the crappy trappings (disposability, suicide-inducing hopelessness, hard on the ears).

Musically, the album manages to be both cohesive and wonderfully diverse. Richly textured with great production and musical depth, the songs range from anthemic, acoustic introspection ("Deep As You Go") to sweeping, lush ballad ("If I Could") to driving, percussion-punctuated rock ("Funeral in His Heart"). "Sunday Morning Yellow Sky" is a stand out track in these regards; driving bass line, sharp guitar strings and a full band to fill in between (and it's hip-swayingly groovy, too). "Something More Than This" features a fluid, rolling piano sound that really builds with the song's themes of ache and hope.

Even more, the music is emminently accessible. Unlike many musical "ar-teests" who seem to think it's their job to create music that's truly work to listen to, OP crafted a very accessible collection of songs with FFI. Whether you're grooving along with the melody or hearing the refrain in your head, the music on this CD was made to be pleasing to your ears (as well as your spirit).

Of course, it's not just OP's music that makes it distinctive. Mary Fahl's voice is in full power here - and I don't mean that she belts it out whenver possible like Celine Dion. Fahl makes full use of her vocal range, as well as being very comfortable singing or even talking quietly. To be sure, her voice soars and swoons, but it's always in service to the song and story, not as a showboat kind of effort. If you've never heard Mary Fahl before, I envy you the joy of hearing her for the first time: she's the brooding pop sister of Trisha Yearwood, someone with a sweet, strong voice that knows how to infuse it with life's sorrow and passion.

Lyrically, FFI is miles ahead of OP's debut. I'd consider the debut album the equivalent of a high school senior's (or perhaps college freshman's) take on poetry and gothic storytelling: you can feel the talent and potential, but it's struggling to breath through the conventions and cliches of the form. With FFI, OP's songwriters really break through. The lyrics are specific, intelligent, literate and meaningful. The album cascades with references to Alice in Wonderland, the 1993 tragedy in Waco, Texas, mid life crisis, the struggle to be a better lover/person, and more. There's a definite undertone of spirituality in the lyrics that's never preachy, always reaching.

And while I DO rate this album with Amazon's highest rating, there are a couple of misfires: tracks 5 and 7. They're not horrible, by any means, but compared to the rest of the album, they're fairly bland and unremarkable. "Johnny" is a tad didactic, while "After the Fall" fails to excite.

But that leaves 9 great songs, a feat by any standard. I can't even pick "stand outs" from the 9 because they're all just incredibly good. Start discovering the richness hidden here - you'll be glad you did.

Postscript: there's a certain amount of irony in that this album is STILL in print, long after Sony deemed OP not commercially viable. January 24, 2005

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