Bullet For My Valentine - Fever (2010)

Artist: Bullet For My Valentine
Album: Fever
Date Released: April 26, 2010
Genre: Metalcore/Emo

Album Review:

I feel that this band is very polarizing, which is unfortunate. To quote Jerry Lewis, "For those who understand, no explanation is needed...for those who don't, none will do". Which would seem to make my efforts to review this album pointless. But I digress, because although I feel that BFMV have made attempts to enter a wider audience, they have done it well, and retained their sound in the process.

The album has a very hot/cold feel to it, switching between very angst-y and emotional songs, including lyrical content. Hence the album name Fever maybe? In fact, with no clear flow to the album, it leaves the listener confused more than awestruck. The album is more "radio-friendly", with less screaming and more singing, and not so edgy in overall sound. Disappointment? Perhaps, but the familiar guitar solos and fairly established musicianship might make up for it. The album definitely has kin to Killswitch Engage's End of Heartache with it's hot-cold feel. I will be honest and say that it's definitely no Scream Aim and Fire, perhaps more a calmer version of Poison, I don't know, but enjoy it anyway!

Rating: 7 out of 10

Song-by-song:

Your Betrayal: To paraphrase 411Mania, this song picks up where Scream Aim and Fire left off. A decent intro track, especially for previous fans of BFMV.

Fever: Very strong title track, as a good point for this album. Opening riff is strong and catchy. Pretty normal inuendos in this one as far as metal is concerned. Perhaps my favorite off the album.

The Last Fight: Another strong intro, and despite the blech lyrics that can only come from the UK (don't get me started on Judas Priest), it's a catchy song nonetheless.

A Place Where You Belong: You would think this is the slow song of the album, but with the hot/cold thing I mentioned, I have no clue. the album leaves you somewhat confused in that regard. But it is a very emotional song. I like this one because it exposes Matt Tuck. Well done!

Pleasure and Pain: With a scream and thrashy intro, this song is definitely reminiscent of Scream Aim and Fire. He even pronounces "again" the funky way (no offense to the isles). And imagine that, it's about a girl! Nice solo near the end, not too much for the song.

Alone: A long series of guitar tapping starts this song out. An upbeat song with a nice riff, one of the "hot" songs. But perhaps the outro is a bit too long?

Breaking Out, Breaking Down: I do like the message of this song, that "we can't blame this world forever" otherwise, this song is pretty bleh, no solos or catchy riffs or choruses in my opinion. And my opinion is the Alpha and Omega on this page in case you didn't know.

Bittersweet Memories: A "cold" song, definitely about an unwanted lover. Clicheeeee....sigh. This is where BFMV is most radio friendly; minimal screaming and popular theme. Ah well. I'm tired of fighting artist's passion for popularity at this point.

Dignity: Some nice harmony in the opening lyrics. I kind of wish there was some more screaming, as this is one of the "hot" songs. A song about honor in death. Or perhaps arrogance. Sometimes I wonder who writes this crap? I mean really, can't go 2 minutes without crying about your life...

Begging For Mercy: Another "hot" song. I love the sound of this song, especially during the chorus, though the song has something of a generic theme (as previously established)

Pretty on the Outside: Like I said before, this album was not arranged well. I love this song, but not as an ending track. I think Bittersweet Memories, or Alone would be more appropriate. but what can we do right? Simply talk, talk, talk about such things to happen. But they won't. I've yet to give an album a 10.