Something hot is brewing in the valleys of South Wales, and I don't mean James Dean Bradfield's tea as The Manics sit down with their carpet slippers on and contemplate how to become good again. No, Funeral For A Friend are on the cusp of the big-time and this, their third EP, aptly shows why.
Funeral For A Friend occupy the musical territory marked emotional hardcore, or "emo", for the uninitiated. Lead track Juneau showcases the emotional side of the equation as it's jangly opening gives way to a commercially savvy rocker of hugely anthemic quality while Matt Davies sings the love-lost line: "I'm nothing more than a line in your book." Getaway Plan has its hobnail boots firmly planted on the hardcore side of the fence while Kiss And Make Up, recorded for the Radio One Rock Show, melds angular punk abandon and melodic suss into an appetising whole.
Emo may be supposed to be punk-ish rock for those in touch with their feminine side, but frankly, it's proponents too often play music that is simply a soundtrack for bed-wetting. Funeral For A Friend could just be the band to give emo a good name.
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