After five years and a bout with band mitosis, Farewell to Juliet is back with their second album, Grace and Dire Circumstances. No sophomore jinx here. The cover depicts a butterfly beset by flames; grace under fire, as it were. These guys certainly display that with this new album. [The band's] debut record, Echoes of Laughter, made quite an impression on those of us fortunate enough to have heard it. Even so, this latest installment displays obvious development on all fronts.
[FTJ] have maintained their characteristic sound: melodic, with a penchant for punching out some good rock and roll. They wear their Choir influence on their sleeves throughout, most notably with a cover of "Chase the Kangaroo." With some additional lyrics by [guitarist and producer] Jeff Elbel, the band take the song in a whole new direction - one which, I must admit, I find more accessible than Steve Hindalong's original. This song could perhaps be the heart of the album, expanding on the album title in these verses:
If temperature fuels their desire
Then shun the moon and fly to fire
And quench a most peculiar thirst
To feel the innards boil
The band displays a great deal of versatility [vis-a-vis] mellow, poppy numbers like "Browning's Pearl," jumpy rockers like "Bittersweet," and songs like "Seconds Count." [The latter] opens with a cool, bass-driven groove that would do Tim Chandler proud, and ends with a heavy metal jam session. [Farewell to Juliet] cover the whole range with both passion and skill, and make this album well worth tracking down.
Review by Titi Ala'ilima (8/20/98)
