Kids aren't born cool. For the droves of kids that are growing up in small towns watching third rate metalcore at their local VFW Hall, it couldn't be harder to come across cool music, let alone music that is pushing boundaries. Fordirelifesake, although not pushing the boundaries of what the CD label described as 'melodic-metallic-hardcore,' seem to be the kind of band that a kid into standard mosh-metal might hear and begin to look for other bands that break the convention of the breakdown-clean part-breakdown formula.
A Daydream Disaster is a collection of Michigan's Fordirelifesake's early tracks that appeared on split CD's and 7's (with bands such as Endzweck and Hewhocorrupts), compilations, and unreleased and out-of-print albums compiled between 2000 and 2003. Most of these tracks feature ambitious and at times borderline hair metal-esque guitar riffs accompanied by the standard hardcore drumming you have come to expect which at some points strays into tightly syncopate parts with the bass. The breakdowns are more creative then the average metalcore band, but still keep the tracks from lacking substance. The vocals are deeper then your average hardcore singer, but just as incomprehensible. There is also not much to the lyrics beyond metalcore clich's, but this is a collection of old songs so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. 'Intermission' is possibly the strongest song on the album, a track that sums up what most of the entire album sounds like.
Along with there own songs, A Daydream Disaster also contains a cover of a Compromise song that is a strong and touching tribute to a forgotten band (check the liner notes for the complete story). They also manage to butcher 'Love Song' by The Cure complete with over-the-top vocals, sped up verses, and hair-metal guitar interpretations of the original song.
Aside from butchering The Cure, A Daydream Disaster manages to cover holes in Fordirelifesake's discography and has the possibility of expanding the way kids listen to metallic-hardcore. The material falls short on genuine originality due to too much source material as well not breaking far enough away from the typical metalcore band. If you are a fan of metalcore bands that have done something slightly different then the rest, this is a good starting point. A Daydream Disaster could lead you to bands that break from the norm even more, and possibly expand your listening experience.
