Metal Underground.com

Dallas' Fair to Midland was signed to Serj Tankian's Serjical Strike label in 2006 and released their major label debut, "Fables From a Mayfly," the following year. Their sound can best be described as prog-rock with metal influences, despite being named best metal act by the Dallas Observer in 2007. They recently completed consecutive North American tours opening for Chevelle and Serj Tankian and are scheduled to play the Rock Im Park festival in Germany this summer.

"Fables from a Mayfly" opens with the first single, the guitar-driven "Dance of the Manatee," which displays lead vocalist Darroh Sudderth's impressive vocal range. He seamlessly transitions from soaring vocals to low growls throughout the song and may be one of the best new vocalists in rock music. The keyboards and guitars serve as a backdrop for Sudderth's vocal acrobatics, alternating between mellow verses and power chord driven choruses. By the time one has listened to the third track, "Vice/Versa," the band has established a heavy-soft-heavy formula throughout the album that is only interrupted by the eclectic, circus-like ending to "April Fools and Egg Men." "Dance of the Manatee" ends up being the standout track from the album, as the rest of the album blends together like chapters in a book, fitting given that the lyrics read like old time fables.

Guitarist Cliff Campbell and Matt Langley on the keyboards create complex soundscapes that complement Sudderth's singing, particularly on "A Seafarers Knot," where the use of digital delay guitar combined with keyboards builds a wall of sound. Guitar solos are absent from the album with the exception of the final track as Campbell focuses on arpeggiated rhythms interspersed with nu-metal style riffs. The bass and drums are forced into the background but closer listening reveals some fine musicianship on the part of Jon Dicken and Brett Stowers. The closing song, "Say When," highlights the strengths of the band, beginning with a synth intro and slowly picking up the tempo with some tremolo guitar and great interplay between the bass and the drums, before fading out with a haunting doom metal-inspired ending.

Fair to Midland has more in common with alt-rock bands, such as Trapt or Hoobastank, than any metal act, but "Fables From A Mayfly" is worth a listen just to hear Sudderth sing. The band's live shows are highlighted by Sudderth's on-stage antics and his vocal range is just as impressive in concert.