This Chicago based trio has had a trying time to say the least. Guitarist Jesse Naul prior to recording this album was diagnosed with a serious repetitive stress injury due to the amount of guitar playing he did. Being reduced to playing for just a few hours a week, the process of making this record became a lengthy procedure.
During that time, the band has managed to make an album of pure guitar driven rock and roll that is for the most part a very decent release. The band doesn't break any new territories but there are some really good moments throughout. The song "Release" is one of those moments. A song that starts with a very nice acoustic arrangement that blast off into a real catchy bit of rock and roll. This by far is the best moment on the disc.
Naul produces some very good riffs all over this album but maybe it is due to the medical limitations, he never seems to really let loose anywhere on the disc. For a three piece band it is critical that the guitarist takes the lead, but here he seems to just be a rhythm player. Vocalist and drummer Greg Ulankiewicz is a good singer but he doesn't have enough of a voice to carry the band. While there is nothing wrong with the album, there also is nothing that really grabs you either.
This is just one of those albums that you can put on and have playing in the background. Catchy riffs and lively melodies make this a listenable album but it is not enough to keep your attention. You might hum along on a tune but that is as deep as it will get. Other than the afore mentioned "Release" the songs just kind of blend together.
Track listing:
1. Buy Sell Trade
2. The Pulse
3. Reveille
4. Release
5. This Moment
6. Unsettled
7. Up the Spine
8. Bloodshot
9. This Time is Real
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