Falling In Reverse -TheDrug In Me Is You

Wed 31st Aug, 2011 in Music Reviews

Former Escape The Fate frontman Ronnie Radke has released a promising debut album with his new crew, despite his recent legal complications.

The first song on the album Raised By Wolves is also Falling In Reverse’s first single. It’s an energetic riffed-up, loud and proud production that lets loose and hits the spot. Thrown in are some synth effects for emphasis which is something a little different that adds further flavour to the record. Radke enters with a boast of “I’m Back” on Tragic Magic, a song that encompasses his downfall and return. Thick crunching riffs and growling accentuate the mood of his return, and from here on out it’s a relentless pursuit of wild and wonderful tunes to get the blood flowing through fan’s veins once again. The Drug In Me Is You, while being the title track, also takes the cake for its uplifting and grand scale of musicianship as the band come together to collaborate on this epic track.

Radke makes I’m Not A Vampire fun and involving, although again it is essentially an account of his personal experiences. Good Girls Bad Guys is a youthful pop anthem intent on ensuring that the hooks keep coming with an added element of catchy lyrics and woah-oh’s are thrown in for good measure. It’s certainly true that Radke is quite the animated frontman, and coupled with his charm are his very playful antics that are revealed in his lyrical content.

Don’t Mess With Ouija Boards ensures the hits keep coming and the intensity remains amplified and aimed squarely with a proliferation of enthusing appeal. The title is emphasised with ominous growls regularly throughout, presenting a rather comical rather than cautionary assertion. Sink Or Swim is boldly uplifting and energetic, carving its way with piercing and shredding guitar by Jacky Vincent coupled with a flurry of drums by Ryan Seaman, rhythm by Derek Jones and, of course, Radke’s vigorous vocals.

Caught Like A Fly strays from the hammering of its preceding songs, creating a lull in the record that is well placed and fitting. It’s also proof that Radke and band can bring home the goods while stepping outside their usual format of intense and driving melodies. Goodbye Graceful has its own contrasts to the earlier part of the record also, and aside from the standard growls and screams, its melody is engaging and quite impressive.

The Westerner departs again with a toned down sound which shows how dynamic the band can be with some acoustics thrown in amongst spoken lyrics, then there is the ascension of the chorus serving as the pinnacle of the song while Radke muses on his past which again makes for some interesting lyrical content.