Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

15 tracks in 42 minutes? I was sure I was in for a solid slice of punk rock, but no, instead I got some very succinct poppy power prog rock. Or I think I did - this band are very hard to pigeonhole, which is a good thing. It's got the feel of power pop in places (think Wanted, 5 Seconds Of Summer) but then throws in some prog-style vocal phrasing (Spock's Beard sprang to mind) underpinned by some slightly off-kilter drumming and then it's all heads down and screamed vocal, then back to pop prog (the anthemic "Safe" has some definite early Pink Floyd riffs in there and the guitar pattern on "Streets Of Gold" also - although the Simon and Garfunkel vocals made it fresh - and then they changed style again. Twice). An unusual mix, but one that I rather liked and you certainly can't claim that it all sounds the same. Add in influences such as Artic Monkeys, Sum 41 and Third Day (let alone the harmony vocal work on "Shame") and I think it's fair to say that the Seattle-based rockers have developed a musical smorgasbord of a sound that is very much their own, while being happy to declare their faith in whatever style best suits the song. Other reviewers more familiar with the band's work have commented that this is "more of the same", whereas I (not being so familiar) found it refreshing compared to other albums around at the moment.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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