Review: The Faint -- Fasciinatiion

This post was submitted by Rohan.

The Faint occupy a strange place in indie rock. The group was always making their brand of dark, danceable electro-pop in the wrong place at the wrong time, starting with their place on Nebraska-based Saddle Creek Records, known for the 2002-2004 nu-emo explosion of Bright Eyes, Azure Ray (member Orenda Fink is married to the Faint's Todd Fink), and Cursive.

The Faint released four records in six years, their sound transforming from harder edge rock, like on 1998's Media, into electroclash. Their second record, 1999's Blank-Wave Arcade, still stands as their most enjoyable outing, but they were early to the electroclash party. In 2001, the Faint released their only record that came at the height of their genre, Danse Macabre. The group’s most popular record, 2004's Wet From Birth, is also their most consistent, but the band was left behind by electroclash.

Now, the Faint have returned with their fifth record, Fasciinatiion. Never really fitting in with their peers on Saddle Creek, this record is the first on the Faint's own blank.wav label. If a record takes four years to complete, it should be damn good, but unfortunately the Faint have missed the mark. The record took so long because the group is completely democratic—they work on a song until all the members are OK with it. Though the band may have quality control, it does not mean that the members have ears of gold.

Fasciinatiion is short, clocking in at only 35 minutes, and it just lacks oomph. Starting with the lame come-on “Get Seduced,” the band shows that lyrics were never their strong suit. While nothing screams blasphemy like an Interpol lyric book, the Faint come damn close on songs like “The Geeks Were Right” and “Psycho.” And don't even get me started on the mess of a song that is “Machine in the Ghost.”

Now, all could be forgiven if the beats were strong, but nothing packs the punch of their best tracks like “Worked up So Sexual” or “How Could I Forget.” Aside from a few club-inspired, dance-party ready songs, most are slow burners or mid-tempo tracks.

There’s not much replayability here either. The album breezes by and will end up lost in a hard drive or collecting dust on a shelf. The Faint have always been decent live, and I do wonder how these new songs will fit into their set, but as they stand on the album, it might make for a lackluster experience.

The Faint's Fasciinatiion was released today. Listen to tracks from the album on the band's MySpace page. Or purchase the album on iTunes.

The Faint will be at the 9:30 Club on Saturday, August 16, with Shy Child (formed by former members of El Guapo) and Jaguar Love (formed by former members of Pretty Girls Make Graves and The Blood Brothers). Tickets are $20.