CD Review: Framing Hanley - The Moment

Every once in awhile, a band name makes me wonder if the well of good band names has finally run dry, this is one of those times. Yes, I occasionally shake my head in bemused wonder at some of the bands that I like and the wacky names they have given themselves. As I look at the name of this band, I have that bemused look and have to wonder what possessed them to name their band "Framing Hanley." I am sure there is some meaning, and that is well and good, I just don't particularly care for it. They used to be called Embers Fade, and I believe they had to change it due to another band already claiming rights to it, it is a much better name. Be that as it may, I am sure you could truly care less what I have to say about their name.

This is the debut release for a band that has only been around for a couple of years, forming in 2005. They were noticed by Brett Hestla, frontman of Dark New Day, and in 2006 helped them record a two song demo which led them to the Silent Majority Group, and ultimately the release of their debut LP in 2007, The Moment.

Framing Hanley is not a bad band, but for the probable talent they have, the music plays everything towards the middle. They are highly reminiscent of Breaking Benjamin, and have more radio friendly hooks than you can shake a stick at. It is the kind of middle of the road music that belies what they could probably do if not being marketed at that radio friendly market. There is nothing wrong with aiming for the radio, so long as you are still making the music you want. However, I am not convinced that this is all they have in them.

The music on The Moment is smooth, slickly produced, and easy on the ears. The problem with it is that it is so forgettable. I found that as soon as each song ended, I pretty much forgot it, each song blended into the next. Nothing left any big impression. All of the songs have similar structure, tempo, and melody. Their were two moments that there was something of a threat to break out, however they did not take root and proved to be the exception rather than the rule. The first came with the synth intro to "23 Days," a fun groovy little pop-rock track. The second comes with what may be the best track on a disk of mediocrity, the acoustic driven "Alone in this Bed," which brings the truest emotion of the collection, it is the one song whose emotion convinced me that it was genuine.

The Moment is the kind of album that is really just there to sell albums. You arn't going to pull from the more niche rock markets, but as a smoothly produced mainstream album you could do a lot worse. Again, these guys are young and still learning to play together, they could break out and surprise down the line. There is a nice vocal work, some nice meoldy, but not a lot of substance. They have not won me over as a fan, but I am open to being won over by a future release. As it stands, if you are looking for some easy to listen to radio-rock to listen to without the radio, this could fit the bill.

Mildly Recommended.