Album Review // FRANK IERO AND THE FUTURE VIOLENTS ‘Barriers’
In typical Frank Iero style, his third album Barriers is chock-full of glitzy rock ‘n’ roll glamour.
If we were only given one word to describe the third album from Frank Iero And The Future Violents, it would be honest. From the lyricism to the instrumentals, there’s something unashamedly raw about the energy that sources this album, which is sure to make it a resounding hit with listeners. Those who have been following Frank Iero will already be familiar with his gritty rock ‘n’ roll, punk-ish tendencies, but these are expanded upon in this newest body of work as he experiments with different sonics to deliver results that hit you straight in the heart.
Explaining the album, Frank says:
“Barriers is a record that I still can’t believe I made and I’m so incredibly proud of it. I can’t wait for other people to be shocked and appalled and inspired by it. Hopefully it scares the shit out of them.”
Opening A New Day’s Coming is fine example of veering beyond what might be typically expected; instead of the raucous album opener that almost seems formulaic, it’s a slow, grandiose statement that contains hints of gospel and sweeping hymnals. Frank mentions, “I originally based it on old soul songs that I really loved, asking myself how, say, Otis Redding or different Stax recording artists would do a song like this.”
Although the start isn’t particularly violent, it doesn’t take long for the pace to build up as the following Young And Doomed brings back an oppressing stomp with its drum-driven rhythms, and Fever Dream hits with its angst-ridden guitars that snarl and snap without mercy. Despite its slower harmonic rhythm, there’s an incessant energy that hurtles Basement Eyes forward and the wearied lyrics brings a sense of nostalgia along with it.
It’s not all heavy-hearted and bittersweet though; Moto Pop is a frenetic cut that charges you up with electricity and possesses the irresistible cut-throat punk sensibility in its raucous riffs. The bluesy Six Feet Down Under contrasts against this upbeat energy found earlier, and builds up to the melodramatic album closer 24k Lush, a slow-burner that culminates in an epic wall of crashing cymbals and soaring guitars.
Within the 14 tracks that make up the album, Frank Iero And The Future Violents ruminate upon the questions of our existence in a varied set of material, building a cohesive piece of work that is almost larger than life.