Fact Not Fiction has never been satisfied with life exactly as it appears. Coming from a small town in Georgia known better for its UFO sightings than for its music scene, it's natural for their songs to exude an escapist quality. But rather than the somnambulant sound of their debut album, FNF's sophomore release chooses time travel as its hideaway of choice. A Corporate Calling sneaks their airy, eerie sound into retro territory with a few new risks, founded on the strengths of their last album.
Moving backward is a forward push for the band. It fits their rough (although technically improved) production quality and their basic sound. Which is to say, although Fact Not Fiction doesn't ever do anything revolutionary or complex, they have a clear, rare understanding of pop atmosphere. The band knows well what sounds fit together and what kind of moods they convey without trying to be too many things at once. For instance, the standout "Tree Carvings" is written about the death of a local teen. Though structurally very simplistic, the song wraps you up in its eerie ambiance, Sayer's voice weaving in and out of Grant's kinetic drum loop at a near-whisper, guitar and bass simmering over just slightly.
Of course, not far down the disc are more lighthearted, almost goofy songs like "Electric City," which wins points for its head-bobbing piano line and use of the phrase "picture show." Sure, the Death Cab influence is clear once again, but FNF stretches well beyond it. The band reaches rockabilly in "Powder Bag" and blasts what frontman Zeke Sayer calls "the craziest experimenting we've ever done" in "Here At Hartmin," a track that will suck you into the guitar trance like words never existed. Actually, lyrics are much more sparse--and perhaps less inspired--throughout the album, but they act as another piece in that holistic effect.
Overall, A Corporate Calling is five leaps ahead of where this band left us in their last album. There isn't a dividing line between strong songs and weaker tracks, somber and fantastical, acoustic and electric. Rather, Fact Not Fiction tries a few different things in each song, and tries a few different styles of songs in one diverse album. Dabbing that all under an old pop tint, this album assures that taking a few steps back will push this band far forward.