Coalesced

Editorial Reviews
Michael Toland, Pop Culture Press, Spring 2003 (#56)
"Jeffrey Runnings makes a serious case for himself as one of the past decade's most underrated tunesmiths."

Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover, Fall 2002 (#51)
"An incredible LP, full of cascading guitar sounds, naked tenderness and emotional meltdowns, and passage after passage of shimmering beauty."

Album Description
Lincoln Nebraska's FOR AGAINST returns with their first album in five years, and one of their most compelling and melodic releases to date. 'Coalesced' delivers Jeffrey Runnings' trademark soaring vocals enmeshed in a delicate latticework of guitars and punctuated rhythms, to craft an arresting blend of lucid, gorgeous atmospheres. The album was produced by Mike Mogis (Azure Ray, Bright Eyes, Cursive).

The title track opens with an etching of the contemplative disposition of 'Echelons,' only to burst into a rousing chorus and race through a three-minute coda of vigorous guitarwork. "Fuel" and "Shelflife" are matchless ballads, perhaps the finest and most heartrending Runnings has ever composed. On "Medication" and "So Long," Paul Engelhard's spry, energetic drumming anchors Runnings' airy vocal melodies to Steven Hinrichs' sparkling guitars. The finale, "Love You," resurrects early Felt into an excursion of the scenic side of post-rock, weaving multiple layers of guitar melodies with a precise, balanced cadence and rhythm.

In short, 'Coalesced' is a seamless, coherent masterpiece of riveting pop craftsmanship, unspoiled by studio contrivances or artistic pretensions.

Coalesced

Tracks:

Medication
So Long
Fuel
Coalesced
Outside A Heart
Shelflife
Love You

Album Description

For Against's triumphant return. Jeffrey Running's trademark soaring vocals enmesh in a delicate lattice work of guitars and punctuated rhythms to craft an arresting blend of lucid, gorgeous atmospheres.

Customer Reviews:

Not bad.......2004-08-06

This isn't a bad album. As for my first experience with For Against, I'd say the comparisons to Kitchens of Distinction are the only accurate ones. These guys, while decent, don't hold a candle to the Chameleons or the Cure. I've often seen the words "layered" and "emotional" attached to this music. It has a "mood" of sorts, but nothing overly compelling. Neither is it layered in any exceptional way. It has essentially the same guitar sound in every song doing basically the same thing, all of which sounds nice, none of which sounds amazing. As much as I enjoy that sort of shimmering tone, they use it so repetitively it gets old. The lyrics are passable, but nothing to get excited about. Without repeated listens, most of the songs sound fundamentally the same. The fact that it lacks even an ounce of edge turns me off a bit, being a little too syrupy throughout. I imagine though, that fans of dream pop will eat this up like candy.

That said, this is still a good album, and I intend to listen to it until I find the gem. If I do, I'll rewrite. If not, 3 stars.

Wow, absolutely wonderful album. But why only 7 tracks?.......2003-11-26

Well, I fully agree with Matthew. Best album since fabulous DECEMBER which is nearly impossible to get in these days. Maybe at ebay some day. It's very hard to find. I have all albums but one. I miss Mason's California lunchroom. But all the other 5 albums of For Against are very special. Very atmospheric songs, very emotional lyrics. Why are they so unknown? For me they seem to be the most unknown brilliant band of the world. Their music roots in the 80s. The typical Chameleons guitar sound, sometimes influenced by the Cure, the crystal clear voice of Jeffrey Runnings. Too bad, that amazon did not implant sound samples of this wonderful CD. And it will become scarce very soon. I will buy every CD of FA and hope they will release a lot more !!! Don't miss this band this time. Try it. The new album Coalesced really reminds me of DECEMBER. I can't tell you the best song, because I like the whole album but for me the title track has something special.

Best album since 'December'.......2003-11-26

Those of you who remember the icy, layered atmoshere of For Against's 1988 album 'December' should consider this album a triumphant return to form. The full-bodied yet gentle guitar work of Steven "Mave" Hinrichs overlays the driving rhythms of Runnings and Engelhard. After hearing this album I wonder why Runnings ever let anyone else play bass for this band besides himself. His rapid bass-lines are a perfect companion for Engelhard's full-sounding drumming. The songs are emotionally charged, and will carry the listener to another plane of sonic resonance. This is - in my opinion - their best work since the triumphant 'December.'
For those of you who don't know this band, I recommend them. If you like the atmospheric sounds of The Chameleons, The (early) Comsat Angels, The Kitchens of Distinction, or The Sound, you should definitely get this album. Their releases are quickly becoming scarce...so get it from Amazon while you still can!

Average customer rating:

Coalesced
For Against
Manufacturer: Words On Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00013MXRO
Release Date: 2002-12-02

Tracks:

Medication
So Long
Fuel
Coalesced
Outside A Heart
Shelflife
Love You

Album Description

Lincoln Nebraska's FOR AGAINST returns with their first album in five years, and one of their most compelling and melodic releases to date. 'Coalesced' delivers Jeffrey Runnings' trademark soaring vocals enmeshed in a delicate latticework of guitars and punctuated rhythms, to craft an arresting blend of lucid, gorgeous atmospheres. The album was produced by Mike Mogis (Azure Ray, Bright Eyes, Cursive).

In short, 'Coalesced' is a seamless, coherent masterpiece of riveting pop craftsmanship, unspoiled by studio contrivances or artistic pretensions.

Orange
Average customer rating:

Fantastic first album

Orange
The Diggs
Manufacturer: Sugarspun Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAKH7E
Release Date: 2005-05-10