Album of the Month : March 1999
Favez (CH) :
" A sad ride on the line again "
( Sticksister )
Formerly known as a hard-edged guitar band, this five-piece from Lausanne (CH) goes for some change and turns all smoothness and delicacy on this allegedly "acoustic" (not really, in fact) new album.
Indeed, it's hard to believe that the guys who deliver such a wonderful piece of sensitive pop are the very same who blew your speakers on their bludgeoning " Coming home E.P.", released simultaneously with the album. FAVEZ obviously assumes this duality with stunning ease and finally wins on all counts. If they somewhat fail in their confessed attempt of making these songs as slow and depressing as possible ( there's been serious contenders in this particular area lately ), they fully succeed, on another hand, in displaying an intense atmosphere of bittersweet melancholy. But FAVEZ has much more to offer than just a warm and cosy place to gently press on one's heart bruises: there are damn good songs in there, swell tunes, fine and sensible musicianship, stirring lyrics and wistful vocals. A skindeep romanticism halfway between UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH and RADIOHEAD at their quieter and most sensitive.
Even if you don't give a f§%*k about emmental cheese, watches, chocolate or secret bank accounts, you have no more excuses to still ignore Switzerland now.
STICKSISTER RECORDS:
stickman@stickmanrecords.de
FAVEZ: