Album Review: Farewell - Isn't This Supposed To Be Fun?!?

Farewell are a powerpop/pop-punk band from Greensboro, North Carolina and are signed to Epitaph Records and released their debut album, 'Isn't This Supposed to be Fun!?', last September. The band consists of Marshall Davis (vocals), Kevin Carter (guitar), Wil Andrews (guitar), Buddy Bell (bass) and Jeff Ellis (drums). Recently keyboard player Chris Lee left the band and they are currently seeking a replacement.

When I first heard they were a pop-punk band with synth keyboards and signed to Epitaph, like many, I automatically compared them to label-mates, Motion City Soundtrack. However this comparising soon disappears, as Farewell's sound is more pop then punk and more synth-led then MCS. 'Isn't This Supposed...' is 13 songs of polished modern pop-punk with songs such as the opener 'Start It Up', 'First One On The Blog' and 'Hey Heather' being fine examples of this. They are catchy and automatically hook the listener in, with the latter track having a simple chorus that will be stuck in your head for days.

Throughout the record there are many sing-a-long highlights; 'Start It Up', 'Stay Pretty' and 'Zelda'. The album drops pace halfway through the semi-ballad called 'War' which builds up to another glorious sing-a-long. The remainder of the album flows almost seamlessly, with the closer 'Fed to the Fire' being a keyboard-heavy tune with an anthem-like chorus, with Davis bidding goodbye to a girl who wanted more then she could handle.

Overall 'Isn't This Supposed To Be Fun!?' is bright, bouncy collection of synth-based pop-punk songs, that will make any miserable summer day much better. If your a fan of simple pop-punk with happy synths, then look no further. Hopefully we won't be saying farewell to Farewell just yet. The only downfall of the record is that, at times some songs sound too familar and it takes a few listens to recognise one song from another.

Farewell will be over on tour in the UK in October supporting You Me At Six with other support coming from Houston Calls.

http://www.myspace.com/farewell
For fans of: Motion City Soundtrack and Houston Calls.