:: Framing Hanley - A Promise To Burn

Framing Hanley

Bands trying to make it big in the alternative rock genre are a dime-a-dozen at the moment so it takes something really special to stand-out. Luckily Nashville alternative rockers Framing Hanley have that something special. They are talented enough that their new album (their second), ‘A Promise To Burn’ is different to others in their class… and it’s album I’ll certainly be listening to for a while to come. After a sweet intro Framing Hanley get straight into things with the heartfelt ‘The Promise’… obviously written from personal experience this track is a great pre-cursor for the brilliant song-writing that follows. ‘Wake Up’ is screaming to be used in the new season of ‘One Tree Hill’ while the good guitar work on ‘Bittersweet Sundown’ has the potential to put this band on the map. The great sounding melody on ‘WarZone’ lifts it above most of the alternative music going around at the moment while the darker ‘You Stupid Girl’ is one of the best songs of the year. It goes close to be the perfect alternative track with some brilliant instrumental parts. ‘Weight Of The World’ mixes piano, heavy alternative music and acoustic guitar together seamlessly while ‘Fool With Dreams’ is a beautiful love song… a rarity in this genre. ‘Back To Go Again’ sees Framing Hanley create something as catchy-as-hell and once again some interesting instrumental parts set them apart from fellow bands. ‘Livin’ So Divine’ proves these guys can be brutal when they wish while the largely acoustic ‘You’ is soppy but still okay. ‘Photographs And Gasoline’ is darker and experimental while the guitar solo on ‘The Burn’ has to be heard to be believed. Framing Hanley have produced one of the better alternative albums of the year. A stunning album that comes out of nowhere… don’t call these guys bland they are anything but.