Music Review: Farewell Milwaukee, FM

By Tyler Hodg

Wisconsin may get bitterly cold, but Farewell Milwaukee’s music is nothing but warm. Their fourth studio effort, simply titled FM, wraps around you like a heavy blanket, comforting you with familiar folk-rock sounds that are reminiscent of artists like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. The album may not be the most original collection of music, but that doesn’t mean it still doesn’t have a lasting effect.

As acoustic guitars chug along, a wide range of instruments including harmonicas, organs, and horns help fill out the band’s sound—which is best described as a curious, yet grounded style. None of the 13 tracks stray far from a typical folk beat, but when a new element is added, it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Whether it’s the perfectly imperfect harmonies in “The Blister and the Palm,” or the subtle build up in “Wait For Love,” it’s the little moments that take the album to another level. Each track has at least one section of brilliance, with many never surrendering that quality. The base of the songs may initially seem understated, but when paired with beautiful flourishes, the delicate music transforms into a well-rounded listening experience.

The beauty of the album is that some songs are distinctive in different ways; “Figure You Out” is the most groovy track, while the gentle nature of “Strike (When The World Eats Its Tail)” finishes FM in a reflective manner. The masterful arrangement of tracks allows each of the compositions to shine in their own way, and when listened to in full, the album flows without any hiccups.

However, one song in particular, “Poison Rain,” embodies the spirit of the album perfectly. The music goes in multiple directions, and the overall lyrical theme is inimitably summed up in the line, “I can be your rescue/But tonight, I’ll be your poison rain.” While not the best song of the record—that honor goes to “The Blister And The Palm”—“Poison Rain” is the moment when all of the record’s unique aspects gel flawlessly.

It’s not a stretch to say Farewell Milwaukee is sitting on something special. In fact, their latest work will probably find a spot on most listeners’ “underrated albums of2016” list. FM takes familiar tones and makes slight alterations, resulting in a batch of songs that are both comfortable and accessible.

FM will be released on September 9 and is available to order on the band’s website.