Fono

Despite a plague of misfortune, Fono's sophomore album outdoes their first.

A lot has happened in the five years since Fono released their debut album, GoesAroundComesAround. They've toured with bands like the Goo Goo Dolls, lost all of their equipment, master recordings and instruments when their studio burned to the ground in the San Diego fires of 2003, and they've even added a new member to the band.

You could say that all of this has helped to make the release of their new EP, It's The Way That You Use It, well worth the wait because this album absolutely shines.

Gone is the slightly pop-like sensibility of the first album and in its place is nothing but standout rock tracks that are straight out of the end of the grunge era. Melodic guitars lead the driving rhythms of "Freeze Frame" and "Radio," two songs whose hooks absolutely beg you to turn your volume button all the way up, and singer Del Currie's voice soars into the stratosphere on tracks like "Headlights" and "Sunlight Silence." An acoustic version of "Alcatraz" appears at the end of this seven-song adventure and is the only break from the sonic rollercoaster ride that this disc takes you on, but even this track is a groovy ride.

Perhaps the most interesting track is "Falling Man." Portions are unintelligible without the lyrics right in front of you, but towards the end when Currie breathes, "You can't jump in the arms of God / You can't jump, you have to fall," you'll hear a microcosm of the album's content. Way focuses heavily on looking forward to the future by learning from the mistakes and heartache of the past, and when Currie's trademark cry and throaty vocals greet us in song, we feel his conviction.

If you enjoyed their first record, you will enjoy It's the Way That You Use It; and if you've not heard of Fono, this is the perfect way to be introduced to them, as this is one of the must-have rock albums of the year. - Infuze

Who: British gone SoCal quartet who has toured with just about every big name in modern rock, been featured on various MTV reality shows and who lost all their belongings in the California wildfires last year.

Sounds Like: Think U2 meets Goo Goo Dolls meets Acceptance and before you're like "They must suck," I must assure you they don't.

How Is It?: Modern rock is a dying breed here in the states, but Fono, giving the right expose, can change that. They are melodic while not being overly poppy and gritty without being over bearing. This is some of the best rock and roll to come around in a long time. American bands need to take notice and learn something. - Decoy Music

It's the Way That You Use It

After suffering the loss of their studio, and equipment in the California wildfires of 2003, Fono regroups to put forth this profound collection entitled "Its The Way You Use It."

Fono is still doing what they have always done best: intricate indie rock filled with powerful riffs, and driving percussion. The songs styles range from dark Nirvana type grunge, to liberating U2 pop rock. "Alcatraz" and "Its The Way You Use It" are examples of the former; "Sunlight Silence" and "Radio" are examples of the latter. Aside from these influences Fono breaks out with an altogether original style in "Freeze Frame" and "Falling Man."

This seven-song collection left me wanting so much more. I was glad to hear Fono once again, and my feelings listening to the new acoustic version of "Alcatraz" can only be described as elation. I like Fono, and I think this album represents a great step forward for them.

Key Song: "Falling Man"

Reviewed by: Jared St. Martin Brown

- 1340 Mag

2004-11-17 - Fono is back and rocking harder than ever before.


It's been five years since Fono released their US debut, Goesaroundcomesaround. Now, after releasing a number of MP3 tracks over the years and after suffering the lost of their studio and all their recordings to the San Diego fires of November 2003, Fono is finally back with a 7-track disc that rocks harder than ever before.


The title track that opens the album is arguably the best here. If you're worried within the first couple minutes that Fono have become formulaic with this melody-driven track, just enjoy the tune and wait a bit longer - you'll definitely be pleasantly surprised with the guitar solo that hits at the 3 minute mark. Thematically, this song drives at the purpose of life with the sobering refrain 'It's the way that you use it / It's the way you confess / It's the way you abuse it / The way that you waste.'


The second track, 'Freeze Frame,' was previously released by Fono on their old (now gone) MP3.com site. Pounding guitars and Del Currie's strong vocals toss the listener back and forth against catchy waves of sheer sonic brilliance. Also from Fono's MP3.com days is track six, 'Radio,' again carried by pulsing guitar riffs and passionate vocals.


The remaining three new tracks are all strong Fono rock tracks. Trembling guitars and Currie's signature vocals push 'Sunlight Silence' to fantastic heights. 'Headlights' is a spot-on middle-album track that is not quite as lyrically or melodically interesting as the rest of the album as it continues the search for meaning, at least until the final cry 'Want to go out like a hero, a hero / And say, if only you could dream, if only you could fly, if only you could say goodbye.' The last new track 'Falling Man' gives 'It's The Way That You Use It' a run for its money with a simple picture, sad words, and an amazing rock chorus set apart by slightly gentler verses. The last track on this disc is a moving and technically accomplished acoustic rendition of 'Alcatraz' from Fono's first disc Goesaroundcomesaround. It's definitely a real treat to have this unique arrangement of this familiar song close the album.


Overall, Fono made good choices here to release this as an EP rather than as a full-length album. They could have thrown on the rest of their MP3.com tracks but if they had done that, the disc wouldn't have been as strong. The subway and live photos in the lyric booklet are great, as is the overall album design. However, if you cringe at spelling mistakes, don't spend too much time in the lyric booklet as a few glaring typos will annoy you. On the positive side, there's a couple of interesting differences between what Currie sings and what is printed. You'll also notice that the design use of bold-face for the first usage of the track title in the track lyrics is only done on one page of the lyrics and not for the rest of the songs, which is too bad.


If you enjoyed Fono's debut Goesaroundcomesaround, or if you're looking for a rock album that knows how to rock in fresh and invigorating ways, then this album is for you. You can sample and purchase this album at Fono's website www.fono.net.
- Planet

Fono - goesaroundcomesaround
While we all know and love Big Deal for the excellent assortment of sparkling pop music they have given us over the years, they have always seemed to lack an act that would really put them on the map. I, for one, would love to see a group like Barely Pink or Splitsville turn Big Deal into a household name, but let's face it: it ain't likely to happen. Big Deal's stable of pop bands, delightful as they may be, don't necessarily appeal to a massive contingent.

But that could all change in a big way with Fono, Big Deal's latest acquisition. Fono explode with exactly the kind of modern rock/pop that radio stations and MTV are constantly hammering down our throats. If the radio played a Fono song like "Collide" or "Drift Away" and a Goo Goo Dolls song back to back, they would surely have their listeners scratching their heads trying to decide which one is selling out arenas and which one is the upstart. And if the radio stations know what they’re doing, they won't give up on goesaroundcomesaround prematurely, as there are at least four songs with chart topping single potential here.

Set to come crashing through the door opened by Bush and Blur, British boys Fono will be bringing their intense live show across the shores, and will no doubt win over many new fans with their tight, aggressive (in a good way) and melodic rock sound.

Joe Lutz - Amplifier