The End Is The Beginning
Artist: Thousand Foot Krutch
Label: TFK Music
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Duration: 15 tracks, 48:38
The strongest structures involve triangles to support their
weight. The triad which gives sustaining strength and popularity to TFK
(Thousand Foot Krutch for the uninitiated) is a true message and cutting edge
rock matched by well written music. The message of truth speaks to a younger
generation hungry for something that makes sense in their time. Cutting edge
rock is an ever-present quality of TFK music mixing sharp lyrics, heavy
percussion and great guitar riffs without flaw. Well, written songs range from
thought provoking drama with a pop edge to heart pumping fist in the air
revolution. All of this melds so well with front man Trevor McNevon vocals and
stage presence. This is a fine follow-up to their last offering, The Masquerade
and TFKS’s history of tightly woven collection of songs which provide a story
book with each chapter a song relating to our collective life experiences.
Hold on, a great energy rich and heart pounding ride awaits
you.
The heart immediately begins to beat hard with a science
fiction-like robotic voice welcoming you to the journey which is The End Is The
Beginning. “We Are” kicks off the album with another in a great line of
anthemic TFK songs uniting youth to make a difference with strong guitar work meeting
a strong vocal message. “Light Up The Sky” follows with heavy bass and
percussion with McNevon’s rapish vocals, which are the footprint of the
original TFK flame while also showing the progression of their art form while
retaining the consistency of their youthful message. The title track, “The End
Is Where We Begin” lays out the story line giving the hopeful message ‘t
The end is where we begin, When broken hearts mend and start
to beat again’. This is another in the line of classic TFK radio-ready songs
with their hallmark mix of hard rock and smooth breaks. Like their classic “Rawk
Fist”, “Sparks Fly” is a rev-up of legendary proportions. This one surely will
roll with TFK’s best during their summer tour season. Look for the ‘count up’
in the refrain to ramp up the energy!
The ever present professional production gives smooth flow
from song to song with great mixing from fist pumping energy to relatively soft
story lines. This is present moving from the pump-up “I Get Wicked” moving
directly to the soft and revealing “Be Somebody”, a journey deep into the
shared self of being lost in our world and related personal growth (‘We all
want to be somebody, we all want to be but not that far’). This song is a
showcase for the sensitivity of Trevor’s vocal qualities.
Look out! Here it
comes! “This Is A Warning (Intro)” / “Courtesy Call” begins with deep rumblings
give way to deep, strong strings with lilting vocals and violins building to a
crescendo with hot cutting guitar and percussion with McNevon’s cutting vocals
building the listener to a frenzy of emotion. Listen for his ability to change
the cadence of his vocals laced by the foundation of a dramatic chorus beneath.
This song is a winner in a very big way.
“All I Need To Know” is the token lighter offering found on
many of TFKs later offerings. Coming
close to their California-pop sibling’s FM Static story-songs with, ‘I know
which way the wind blows, but you’re here with me, and that’s all I need to
know’. This song gives hope and love in a solid relationship song. A long pause leads to “Fly On The Wall” having
a foundation of strings and a smoky/melodic entry. “Fly On The Wall” has a
break to a hot rocked chorus and a fast fall back to the initial smoky tempo. This
type of experimental, 180 degree change is what keeps TFK strong and fresh. We
jump right into the acoustic-based “So Far Gone” for a taste of the
emotion-laden, Christian based songs of hope with ‘I stood alone and fell down,
Your hands were there to pick me up off the ground’ and ‘I want to be so far
gone in you’. “Outroduction” brings us back to the story’s beginning with the
sci-fi robotic voice reminding us of the journey we just experienced. TFK again provides the full package, not just
a new collection of songs, but a piece of their catalogue again providing the
listener with the story of life experiences we’ve all shared.
Theatrics within their music rather than a techno-laced,
pyrotechnic stage show earmarks the difference between Thousand Foot Krutch
(TFK) and other hard rocking bands. The near-seamless Christian undertones of
hope and change make their message appealing to both secular and faith-based
audiences. An eclectic and forever changing mix of hard rock to heart felt,
pop-like tunes keep their music fresh while the message and delivery keep their
style consistent but always fresh. Without thinking twice, add TFK to your
summer listening and concert experience!
Scott S Mertens
4 Tocks
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