On their debut, Somehow, We Are Here, Faulty Cognitions made their statement. This wasn't a garage-punk band in the style of the members' previous bands (Low Culture and Shang-A-Lang, among others). It's a guitar-first rock indie-punk band schooled by the college rock of the 1980s.
This time around the transition has been so seamless that maybe the debut was a perfect introduction to a developing sound. Right from the start, you get the familiar voice of Chris Mason and the familiar guitar tones that are rooted in garage rock, but the songs meander a little more. There is more texture and the mood is a little less aggressive, especially the drumming. It's still 100% DIY-fueled, punk-schooled rock 'n' roll but what you get is more delicate and vulnerable. "Worse Than Any Bomb" is a great example, with sunny guitars and a smooth vocal melody -- all the while, the song title and theme still pack a mean punch. It's right there in the album name too: They Promised Us Heaven is a record about disappointment and false promises. The songs cover outdated cultural norms, political manipulation and -- to reference the band name -- the often-flawed logic of the human brain. But there is a hint of hope as well. While the messaging highlights what's gone wrong in the world, it's presented as lessons learned from past mistakes. To go back to "Worse Than Any Bomb" and steal a phrase out of context, "The whole world's not on fire."
Another development on this second album is how the band incorporates different vocal styles and singers. Mason handles the majority of the songs, but the changeups provide a little more depth. "Rolling in Your Grave" has shades of goth rock and there is an acoustic interlude near the middle. "Reckless" is a driving song about the government (as punk rock as it gets) and "Enjoy the Ride" shows that the band could write straight-up pop if they wanted to go that route.
I'll pick out "Go To Hell" as my highlight. This song leads with some great interplay between bass and guitar that builds for a good minute before bridging into a gothic-garage-pop song with a punk rock message. It's all four of those styles at the same time.
Ultimately, this is an album, a collection of stories that come together as a whole. Just as important, it's just plain enjoyable music that's catchy, bouncy, and fun to sing along to.
