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For real though, I think this tape is great. Generously prescribed as a ‰ÛÏproud bastard son of Wire, Minor Threat, the Wipers and Devo‰ (more so Wipers, if you ask me), Faux D̩part not only makes heavy nods towards the aforementioned influences through the quirky songwriting and a palpable level of energy to match it, but also throws their own lighter, poppier spin on it to keep the sound‰۪s air of aggression, angst, and anxiety at a minimum, assuring that your toes are forever tapping in contempt of whatever message the song is trying to convey. While some songs are supposedly written in regards to introspective matters such as ‰ÛÏbeing a loser in a cold, shitty town‰, ‰ÛÏgetting rejected by a girl you like‰, or ‰ÛÏposeurs‰ the group hates, these songs sound far too upbeat for me to assume that‰۪d ever be the case ‰ÛÒ even if DID know a lick of French, no sort of lyricism would be able to detract from how goddamn tantalizing these songs are. I ain‰۪t all too educated as to what‰۪s going on over in France, but consider me fuckin‰۪ enlightened, because this three-piece sure as hell knows how to rock it. --Jimmy
Our take: Debut cassette from this French band, and it‰۪s a shame that it‰۪s not on vinyl (at least not yet), because it‰۪s more fully realized than a lot of proper full-lengths I hear these days. The recording is great, the songs are extremely well developed, and there‰۪s more than enough material here for a 12‰ record, so here‰۪s hoping some enterprising label gets on it. Stylistically, Faux Depart are in the same broad category as bands like the Marked Men; like the Marked Men, Faux Depart play in a classic, upbeat melodic punk style, though Faux Depart have a bit more ‰۪77-era punk in their DNA. Indeed, if you‰۪re not overly fussed about your ‰۪77-style bands having vintage-sounding production, fans of old European melodic punk like Ivy Green or Hubble Bubble will absolutely love this. Definitely one of the best cassette releases we‰۪ve gotten in a while, and very highly recommended if you‰۪re a fan of this catchy, pop-inflected punk sound.