The press release that accompanies
Far-Less' 2007 release,
A Toast to Bad Taste, contains a pretty bold statement -- "Sounding unashamedly modern while retaining a foot in the '90s heyday of
Smashing Pumpkins and
Soundgarden." Well, they certainly have the "modern" part right, as the group possesses a sound that is quite similar to the countless number of other emo/indie/post-hardcore bands fighting for a footing in the early 21st century. But truth be told,
A Toast to Bad Taste bears no resemblance at all to the two other aforementioned groups that played a large hand in defining '90s rock -- where that comparison came from remains a mystery. Managing to be melodic, proggy, and rocking all at the same time,
Far-Less fit nicely in the current crop of Tooth & Nail bands, as heard on the explosive opening title track, "I Hope We Swim (Oceans)," and "It's Not Me, It's You." Lofty comparisons aside,
A Toast to Bad Taste will certainly not disappoint fans of
Far-Less' earlier output. ~ Greg Prato