Much More Than A Stereotype
Originally starting out life in 2005 as Embers Fade, Nashville Tennessee’s Framing Hanley has already experienced their fair share of success and tragedy. A cover of Lil Waynes’ ‘Lollipop’ transformed the band into internet sensations whilst the death of drummer Chris Vest’s fiancé Ashley Hanley in a car accident saw the quintet adopt her name as a lasting tribute to “a best friend of the band”. This gave us the band we have today, one that is so much more than you may initially expect.
To dismiss Framing Hanley instantly as another mere emo band is to do the young quintet a major disservice. Whilst their music may be laced with emotion, there is much more to the band than simply that. ‘The Moment’ is a rock album that bristles, equally equipped to tug at the heart strings along with its ability to pack a mighty rock punch. Album opener ‘Home’ oozes with sentimentality nestled snugly around irresistible melodic hooks and unapologetically infectious choruses that lampoon all within a 20 mile radius whilst guitar riffs are set loose to insure even the toughest rock fan has something to nod their heads along to. The somewhat grittier ‘Hear Me Now’ finds the band heading into 30 Seconds To Mars territory as an avalanche of atmospherics pummel headfirst into a pleasing battle of vocal growls and shrieks that is subdued only by catchy lyrics that crave your participation. Then of course there is that cover of ‘Lollipop’ that sees the song transformed into a sleaze fest of crunchy riffs that grind beside foot stomping bass lines to reveal an intoxicating blast of contagious fun that is eclipsed only by the band’s most emotive track of the entire album, ‘Alone In This Bed’. Heart achingly raw with every emotion laid bare for all to see, ‘Alone In This Bed’ is stripped to the simplicity of Kenneth Nixon’s vocals and soaringly melodic guitar riffs that don’t merely tug at your heart strings but rather wrenches the whole thing out of your chest - there won’t be a dry eye in the place and that includes the devote metal fan chugging back their beer as they prop up the bar!
For a debut release, ‘The Moment’ exudes an ability and promise that far exceeds the band’s age; indeed there are many far more established acts that still have not reached the level of ‘The Moment’. Sure, not all things are perfect; some tracks, such as ‘All In Your Hands’ veers a little too much on the radio friendly side and there are hints of the band holding themselves back, reigning themselves in merely to satisfy the radio public but these are mere blips and are few and far between on an album that will undoubtedly have you coming back for listen after listen.
Side stepping any genre-defying pitfall with ease, Framing Hanley are so much more than a mere emo stereotype. Promising and with a dark rock edge that will surprise and delight, the Nashville band are a hidden gem that undoubtedly won’t stay a secret for much longer.