Through the Eyes by Flaw
Breathtaking Debut That Will (Hopefully) Lead To Some Better Things...
When Flaw's debut album `Through the Eyes' dropped back in 2002 I was
floored with just how impressive it really was. This album showed true
promise for this band, promise that they sadly never were able to develop.
Flaw decided to call it quits after the release of their sophomore
disappointment `Endangered Species'. Lead singer Chris Volz went on to
front Five.Bolt.Main but that band has since dispersed and rumors are
popping up that Flaw is planning to pick up where they left off. If that
rumor pans out then I'm anticipating where they go from here.
With `Through the Eyes' Flaw was able to show a wide range of musical
inspirations and capabilities. They had their fair share of heavy hitters as
well as some well thought out and beautifully melodic ballads. Just look at
the contrast between `Best I Am' and their first single `Payback'; two very
different tracks yet both are polished and sound as if it were this bands
niche.
The album opens with `Only the Strong', a great way to kick off the album.
It shows the most common side to Flaw. It's fresh and captivating, with
crunching guitars and Volz's signature scream. He really has a great
voice, very commanding. This musical formula is followed on the majority
of the tracks on the album. Songs like `Get Up Again' (which can be heard
on the `XxX' soundtrack) are perfect examples of moshpit ready songs.
`Scheme' contains some marvelous drum work that keeps the listener on
edge while `Inner Strength' couples the same intensity found in `Get Up
Again' with a beautiful melodicy that ends the track.
`Whole' shows a more vulnerable side to Flaw. It's not as slow as tracks
like `My Letter' but it works to reach the heart. The track is sung about
Chris' foster mother who committed suicide. It was obviously a very
devastating event in his life and has weighed heavy on his actions since.
`One More Time' is another track that breathes heavy emotion. It is
probably my favorite track on the album, very personal and reaching.
`Out of Whack' stands out as a different sound for Flaw. It's not melodic
yet it's not heavy or dark. It's just different.
Then we have that melodic side to Flaw, the softer ballad type songs. `My
Letter' kicks these off and does so marvelously. Chris sounds impeccable
here. `Best I Am' is a beautiful song written for Chris' child and it truly gets
those emotions across to the listener. One of my favorite tracks on the
album is `What I Have to Do'. It's not `quote-unquote' melodic when you
consider the musical arrangement, but just listen to Volz's vocals;
mesmerizing. We also have a treat in the form of a hidden track tucked
away behind `One More Time'; the acoustic version of `Only the Strong'.
The track sounds like a brand new song.
Flaw also has the heavy side, as was made apparent by their debut single
`Payback', a great metal track that contains that memorable bassline.
`Payback' is not the heaviest track here though; that would go to
`Reliance'. Along with `Amendment', `Reliance' buries the listener with
crushing musical arrangements and blistering vocals.
So, in closing, Flaw's debut album was, while not flawless, really
impressive. I hope that they do in fact reunite and we can see greatness
from them, because it's apparent that they have the potential to give it to
us. As I made clear in my review of `Endangered S pecies', I don't feel that
they made good on that promise with their sophomore album. At least we
have their debut to hold us over until better things come along.
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