Failure-The Heart is a Monster (Album Review)

[rating=9.00]

It’s been nearly two decades since the world was blessed with new Failure. Fantastic Planet was a monumental achievement in the world of post-grunge alt rock, with its spaced out vibe and trippy soundscape propelling it out of this world. Despite the band’s initial success with the record, tensions from within and without eventually led to the implosion of the outfit, putting an end to a group who would become to be known as “a band’s band.” Indeed, despite the relatively short lifespan of their initial formation, their influence can be felt across the spectrum. Bands like A Perfect Circle and Paramore have covered songs from Fantastic Planet, solidifying its status as a modern classic.

I mention this all in reverence, both to the band itself, whose music has inspired me over the years, and to the difficulties they face in even attempting a follow up. Indeed, following up a work of genius widely regarded as both necessary and influential would be a harrowing task for any band. Add to that the pressure of reforming nearly two decades after breaking up, and it’s safe to say that Failure has a difficult mountain to climb with the release of The Heart is a Monster.

But climb it they do. Unphased by the burdens of their history, Failure has managed an album that’s not only a fantastic return, but also a worthy follow up to Fantastic Planet and a welcome addition to their catalogue.

The influence of Fantastic Planet is felt immediately on The Heart is a Monster. Its introductory track is “Segue 4” which you might recognize as a direct continuation from Fantastic Planet’s palette cleansing instrumentals. Here, it signifies two things: Failure is picking up where they left off, and they’re seguing into a new era.

This duality coalesces in the first proper track of the album, “Hot Traveler.” It’s obvious that this is the same band that gave us “Another Space Song” and “Saturday Savior” but equally obvious is the growth in musicianship and technique that they’ve independently experienced in the last two decades. It’s full of the same psychedelic sounds that you’ve come to associate with Failure, but it’s larger than ever, assaulting you with their trademark reverb and spacy groove.

This trend continues throughout The Heart is a Monster, which is massive in scope. Its 18 tracks rocket the listener through an introspective journey full of emotionalism and, of course, rock. While it is a long album, there’s never a dull moment and, in fact, it begs for repeat listenings. Failure aren’t interested in making a record that’s easily digestible and what a gift that is to us. This is the kind of record that consumes you rather than the other way around.

Along the way, we’re given songs that stand among the best of their career. “Counterfeit Sky” is a standout among an album full of standouts. The guitars screech and wail over a pounding rhythm, providing the perfect backing for Ken Andrews’s mournful vocals. It’s a fabulous evolution to their sound that, though still rooted in post-grunge, transcends boundaries and labels.

It’s sort of a metaphor for the entire album, really. The Heart is a Monster evolves Failure’s sound considerably without changing it entirely. It’s a massive achievement that reignites their torch. Failure has always been a band that other bands look up to and this record proves that faith is not always in vain. For the cynical, it’s easy to dismiss reunions as a cloying trip down nostalgia lane. While that might be appropriate in some cases, Failure never descends into that pit. Indeed, The Heart is a Monster is more than just a mere comeback. It’s an album that adds to the richness of the band, bringing them into the modern landscape in a time when we so desperately need them.