FM
Heroes and Villains

The British Frequency Modulation has played as long as I’ve lived, all though they had a 12 year hiatus between 1995 and 2007. They started out in 1984 and released their debut album two years later, this is their fourth album after the reformation. It’s called ’Heroes And Villains’ and it’s an album that probably won’t raise a single eyebrow in the world.

If you’re unfamiliar with our scoring system you might think that the grade combined with the comment above means I just hate this album but that’s not true because there’s nothing wrong with this album at all. The reason why they won’t raise eyebrows is simply because the album just don’t have anything startling or sensational, chocking or even surprising. It’s just as you would expect it from these Brits – easy going AOR, leaned back rock music, something to help the dinner party going or whatever you want. It’s easy listened, easily liked and well played with melodies most people can accept and on top of that vocals that don’t offend anyone.

The problem with doing music that don’t raise eyebrows and that most people can accept is that it also gets a bit anonymous, which is the biggest issue FM struggle with on ’Heroes And Villains’. I could have this album going on repeat all day long without getting bothered with it, which of course is a good thing. But I can also have it repeating over and over and over and over without really taking in the music because the songs are just not captivating enough. They are good but they are as easily forgotten as they are accepted and liked – it just goes in and out as quick, just like most things you get on the FM tape.

So I guess it’s a matter of how you play your music in the end. Are you the kind of person that just keep the music rolling or are you someone that actually listen to it? Well, I guess FM will work for both things but in the end they are clearly more background sound. They keep a really high quality but low originality. It’s just adult oriented rock, nothing more – nothing less. Well played but played without innovation. All around nice to hear but not really inspiring. Plus and minus come like this all the way through no matter what you look at and therefor I feel this is an album that sits tight right in the middle of the scale. It’s neither heaven or hell, nor top or bottom but it’s absolutely fine to have in your ears – check it out if you like AOR!

HHHHHHH