a faith called chaos

artist: A Faith Called Chaos
album: Forgive Nothing
label: Volcom
reviewer: Rachel

A Faith Called Chaos is:
Logan Allred – vocals
Zach Jobin – drums
Dan Hearne – guitar
Joe Trujillo – bass
Austin Terrill – guitar

You’re driving. Your head is filled with thoughts, maybe worries, or perhaps To Do lists. You stick a CD in the car stereo and what might you be hoping for? Well, I don't know about you, but in situations like these I’m looking for escape. There is no better release than getting lost in a CD, particularly while driving. So, on numerous recent occasions having been stressed about moving cities to start a new career, I have been looking for this type of moment.

A Faith Called Chaos from Dallas is a band with potential. Their punky-rock debut Forgive Nothing sounds promising on the surface with groovy guitar and hardcore vocals. But, even with deep concentration, my attempt to escape in the music fails. As I’m spacing off trying to momentarily forget reality, I begin to only subconsciously register that I am listening to music. Daydreams of To Do lists persist; no escape develops. The sounds become lost among thought. This is unfortunate because at first the music seems as if it will be continually enjoyable. Not to say the album is completely void, it isn’t. But the lack of depth throughout causing a drift of attention is disappointing. Why does the album leave me with this overall impression? Perhaps it is the shortness in song and album length. Songs range from 1:03 to 3:42 in duration, the album running at just under 25 minutes total. This briefness just does not allow time for the album to demand the of full attention of the listener. Yet, despite this overall blandness, there are two distinct points in the album serving as momentary wakeup calls.

The title track is a staccato piece that has a Poison the Well feel to it in some way. Quick guitar notes matched with choppy vocal sound demands recognition as an essential song on the album. And it is. Alternating between screamed verse and melodic chorus, staccato guitar and extended solos, the piece demonstrates a solid musical sequence that is missing on many of the other tracks. The other exception to the tediousness of the album is the last track called "I Hate This City."

A Faith Called Chaos has now been featured on both the 2003 and 2004 Vans Warped Tours which to me implies a good live showing from the band. This is not surprising as there is definitely potential displayed on their debut disc. Forgive Nothing is not dreadful by any means, it just does not have enough spark to totally separate it from its surroundings.

level of consciousness: 6 out of 10… not a lot of pick me up to grab attention, but the tracks I recommend are substantial

recommended tracks: “Forgive Nothing” & “I Hate This City”

track listing:

01. They Leave a Small Hum in their Wake
02. Circa ‘98
03. We Woke Up a Fire
04. Forgive Nothing
05. Boxing with Bayonets
06. Witless and White Knuckled
07. The Tennessee Promise Still Lives the Texas Lie
08. The Pugilist
09. Ten Thousand Times Tongue and Cheek
10. I Hate This City

For more information on A Faith Called Chaos:
http://www.afaithcalledchaos.com
http://www.volcoment.com