Faltered - Fortune Favours
Faltered is a two man band failing from Northern Wales and bring with them their debut album Fortune Favours. United by a passion for alternative and post hardcore bands, brothers Daniel (guitar, vocals) and Conor Cahalane (drums, percussion, lead vocals) blend all their favourite aspects that they admire in other bands into their own dynamic sound, which can be found through these seven tracks.
To start with is a two minutes musical introductory number where drums kick in alongside a funky bass line and some strong guitar rhythms. Fortune Favours the Needy introduces a harder hitting side on the verses with some tighter riffage, darker guitars and vocals which sway between singing and edgy gruffness. Worth the Wait blends upbeat pounding with lighter melodies but the vocals don't sound to have the same amount of oomph as the music until the pounding eases up and the guitars become lighters three minutes in - at this point music and vocals even each other out. Pulled Over hears the band takes things down a level to where the music is at a minimal. Guitars ping slightly and drums tap gently while the two vocals can be heard complementing each other nicely. However, the emphasis is lost when things speed up, a greater pace is gained and the screech at the end.
Please Don't Take This the Wrong Way adds some backing harmonies and brass to the mix, If This is a Joke Then I'm Not Laughing is another blend of tougher musical tones from heavier guitars with touches of lighter pings and vocals that scream lyrics at times. The closing tune Thanks a Million is a moderately mellow tune that doesn't quite go out with the bang you may have wanted, but does round up the mood of the album well.
It may only be seven tracks long, but these seven tracks give an insight into what the relationship and brotherly bond can achieve when heart, soul and a passion for music are in sync.