Faris McReynolds has quite the résumé. After enjoying a decent amount of success as an artist and having many of his works presented at exhibitions worldwide, he decided a change in his life’s direction was necessary, and turned his attention to music. He formed and is actually a part of two separate bands, one of which is ExDetectives, with the other known as One Finger Riot. His second album of 2012, Farthest Star, seeks to continue his journey into the world of indie pop music, and allows McReynolds to express himself in a manner completely different from that of his art.
“Second Chance” opens with a barrage of drums, which soon die down to make way for McReynolds’ vocals. It was honestly surprising to discover that for someone whose first career choice involved art, McReynolds actually had a distinct, quality voice. The first track is also arguably the album’s best, as his unique musical perspective provides the song with a certain artistic flair. A guitar and drums are prevalent throughout, and inculcate a delightfully catchy beat.
The introduction to “The Ghost” is a spooky one, containing an eerie monotone with echoes all around, and differs significantly from the other pieces on the album. “Listen for the sound” is a recurring lyric in “The Sound,” and seems to be a reference to the new senses McReynolds is able to affect and impact by his transition from art to music. Whereas before his art would please viewers with its visual aspect, Faris is now able to make an impression on others’ sense of hearing with his music.
With Farthest Star, McReynolds proves that art is universal, and that his experience is collective; his previous artworks and paintings have blessed him with a different outlook on what “art” really is, and the vivid descriptions in his music make the listening experience as visual as it is auditory.
In A Word: Transcending
