Whether deliberate or no, the generic title of this Boston-based quartet’s third album (recorded at Fort Apache here in Cambridge) reflects their music. None of the melding of musical styles so popular in modern rock occurs here: straight-up three-chord rock is the name of the game. When done well, as in the tight, focused first single, “Telescope,” the standard guitar-bass-drum combination still retains the feel of energy unleashed. Singer Will Claflin also acquits himself well, with a hard-edged voice and decent enunciation, something all too often forgotten in the genre. Unfortunately, there’s only take so much similar-sounding alternative/grunge songs one can take, and the album’s 11 tracks begin to blend into each other. It doesn’t help that the sound kept fading in and out on the review copy. Still, the band deserves more than the missing “E” in their name for a grade. C
This review originally published in the Harvard Crimson.