Sounds just fine
John L Murphy | Los Angeles | 10/26/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"An accurate time capsule now of the mid 90s era when indie rock shifted from college radio to grungier bands, John Strohm & bandmates create therefore a harder-edged sound than John had with the Blake Babies and later (I think) Antenna. I liked it when it came out, especially the track Alibi. Listening again recently, the CD seemed more samey than I remembered. It's a bit too close to Smashing Pumpkins, mostly, although with a much less whiny vocalist!
It's all good mid-tempo rock music, with no clunkers, but with the possible exception of the first half of Alibi, heard today, it's rather undistinguished, workmanlike, and unassuming. The songs tend to plod on with little variety once they're set up in motion, and even Alibi drags too much. Repetition weakens the simple song structures. The best quality is the Midwestern (Indiana) vibe with a folkier touch with guest musicians on a few cuts; this diversity's welcome amidst the clamor."