Crashbox
Self-titled CD
Core Records
Genre: power pop, alt rock
June 2006 |
I appreciate the effort, guys, but this is a little
bland. Alternative rock / power pop that sounds like it belongs on the
American Pie soundtrack is the name of the game with
Crashbox's self-titled album, and it isn't so much bad as it is
dime-a-dozen. They list influences like Elvis Costello and
The Kinks, but this really sounds like Green Day, Third
Eye Blind, et al - though not as impressive. Immediate single
"Radio" starts the record off like a declaration of intentions, and
"Life of the Party" (opening lines "I thought I would be/Something
more than ordinary/But I'm waiting around/I'm just counting back from
ten...") drives the point home. Derivative sound, angst-ridden
lyrics... though, I will say, this is catchier than most similar
albums I receive. Clearly these folks have the potential to gain mass
acceptance - heck, their singer is a dead ringer for Billie Joe
Armstrong - but I find it unlikely they'll break out of
their local scene without major label marketing. Over twelve songs,
these guys stick to the power pop book as far as style goes, and in
turn give twelve reasons why nothing's going to set them apart from
the rest. Sometimes a little spice is required to keep things
interesting, guys.
myspace
71%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 12 tracks, distributed by
Amazon,
released s2006] |
