Wet from Birth:The Faint

Title: Wet from Birth

Label: Saddle Creek

Genre: New Wave Dance Party

Rating: 6 of 7

Wet from Birth is the Faint’s follow up to the much acclaimed and renowned Danse Macabre, which was released in 2001. And while the core synth-driven, new wave sound still remains, this album uses a lot more non-synth instruments, mainly strings, and a bit brighter lyrical context. The lyrics and vocal delivery actually remind me a lot more of Blank Wave Arcade, in that they are more sex and relationship based rather than the darker contexts of Danse. Now that I think about, this album sounds a lot like a more mature and polished version of Blank Wave Arcade. Gone are a lot of the extreme glitches and overwhelming drum patterns; in their place are well recorded string arrangements and recognizable guitar and bass lines. There are even a few songs with live drums and guitar solos. Do not get me wrong though, Omaha, NE’s finest still bring the dance floor and light show, but this time around they sound more like a band than simply a dance machine. Is this a step in the right direction though? I believe so; Wet from Birth will rekindle earlier Faint fans without losing the fans from the last album. This is a strong release from a quality and inventive band.

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