ALBUM REVIEW: The Faim – “State of Mind”

By Annette Hansen

Debut albums often set a precedent of what a band is capable of as artists and shows what they have to bring to the musical landscape. The Faim eagerly took on that challenge with their debut full-length album, State of Mind. With this album, the band demonstrates that they are more than capable of hitting all the marks of what works in alternative rock and pop.

First and foremost, State of Mind is an infectious listen. With early tracks like “Tongue Tied” and “Summer is a Curse,” it’s undeniable that the album as a whole is catchy listen. Filled to the brim with songs that ooze pop-sensible swagger, State of Mind is an easy and enjoyable listen. While the album can often feel like a solid pop album, tracks like “Buying Time,” “Amelie” and the title track “State of Mind” show that The Faim can pull off a powerhouse rock sound as well.

Where State of Mind falters, however, is in it’s lack of identity. There’s no doubt that the songs are enjoyably catchy, but there’s nothing that really distinguishes The Faim from a number of other pop/rock bands doing it just as well. That doesn’t mean the album isn’t still worth the listen. It’s still a solid pop rock release for a band early in their career with time to fully form their own unique sound. State of Mind is not a ground-breaking debut, but there is plenty of potential to be found within these songs.