Some bands have the ability to take you on a time warp, yet expand your sonic horizons at the same time. The Faint succeed at this completely. Mixing a dance sound with driving rock elements provide a sound that calls to mind music of the 1980’s yet take on a modern feel to it.
     The melding of Todd and Clark Baechle(Vocals and Drums respectively),Joel Petersen(Bass),Jacob Thiele(Synthesizer),and Dapose(Guitar) yield a unique dark yet bouncy sound. Your ears get bombarded by carefully engineered synthesizer work yet they’re treated to the sound of an acoustic drum set. Something that was left at the wayside during the creation of a lot of popular bands in the 1980s.
     The opening cut, Agenda Suicide starts off with an ominous distorted bass guitar riff shortly joined by staccato scrapes on the guitar, thumping bass drum, and then a lilt of the hi-hat and almost video game type synthesizer work When Baechle’s voice and biting lyrics finally are added into the equation, this beautifully destructive song comes together to create a social commentary on life. Their focus is primarily on the concept of how many people are content on working for life, the white picket fence in the suburbs, and the like. This is easily seen in the lyrics: “agenda suicide, the drones work hard before they die, and give up on pretty little homes.”
     Glass Danse is a bit more popish, yet calls forth on imagery that can be seen in just about any club type setting. Baechle’s lyrics carefully spin the web the idea of going to a club, getting lucky, and the cycle continues.
     Total Job returns a bit more to the drone commentary but this time by adding in a female speaking in Vietnamese at the opening of the song “I drive a taxi, I paint fingernails, I am an artist, I sew dresses, I am a teacher” and then follows up by evolving Baechle’s voice into almost a growl regarding the situation of the working class versus the rich.
     The bouncy angst continues throughout the album, showcasing a sonic juxtaposition that is rarely seen today. If you’re looking for something different to talk to you on different levels, or just something to dance to, this album will fit the bill.