The last couple of years have, by their own admission, been something of a struggle for Funeral for a Friend. Shortly after releasing their latest album, “Hours”, these creatively driven Welsh lads had to sustain multiple psychic injuries and deep disappointments from their US tour. It’s been always very hard for British bands to do pubs in America, but it seems now that was the breaking point for many. Well, FFAF survived. What’s more, they recorded a new album, probably the best in their career so far. First thing to strike is how free and loose it sounds. There’s no tension at all, which is totally bizarre for a record that deals with all kind of fears on an almost conceptual level. “Into Oblivion (Reunion)”, for example, is about aquaphobia (fear of water), but if you just ignore the lyrics and listen to the music and the vocal line, it sounds like a good stadium rock tune to me. It’s a mission statement though. The song title might imply a scary dive into dark waters, but from the initial beats up to the moving rise of the melody you certainly won’t get the impression of a sinking band. If talking genres, I couldn’t help the feeling that FFAF have finally overcome the emo frame and in result did a great, more textured effort to enter the world of real rock music. This new effort, however, pulls no punches as the band clearly know what they are capable of and indulge in sweeping array of ideas, propelling them decisively beyond any clear genre boundaries. A major advance on their previous releases, this is a record that transcends its roots and form from start to end. As a whole, “Tales Don’t Tell Themselves” deserves your unwavering attention and rewards all positive expectations.