Album Review

Falling In Reverse – Just Like You

• 23rd Feb 2015

After a second album that was completely divisive (even for Falling In Reverse, who have been the Marmite of the alternative music scene since their conception), the genre-hopping quartet have released their third record ‘Just Like You’. And regardless of what you have to say about the equally Marmite-like frontman Ronnie Radke and his headline-grabbing ways, it is a solid effort.

Ronnie Radke’s persona of the ever-arrogant over-confident rock-god is taken apart a little on this album, and I’ll be the first to say that it’s a good thing. Although songs like ‘Just Like You’ play on the stereotype of the carefree rock star, with lyrics like ‘I am aware that I am an a**hole/I really don’t care about all of that, though’; there are moments of tenderness and a solid, refreshing look beneath the rock-star façade on songs like ‘God, If You Are Above’ and album opener ‘Chemical Prisoner.’

Showcasing some of Radke’s best songs yet, the album is a catchy collection of tunes which only serve to cement the band’s here-to-stay status. The album is a confessional record – from frank honesty about his brother’s death in a motorcycle accident and his resultant grief, to his struggles with his substance abuse issues, Radke has laid himself bare to a greater extent on this record.

It seems that Falling in Reverse are no fluke, no one-hit-wonder and they’re forever showing us that Ronnie Radke and co. are most definitely not going anywhere any time soon. This record is as different from sophomore offering ‘Fashionably Late’ as that record was from ‘The Drug In Me Is You’. It seems that the band are constantly trying new things, and it’s a strategy that has paid off for them so far. So, here’s to seeing what they come up with next

– Iqra Choudhry

Venue: Just Like You
Support Band: Epitaph Records