Search - Acute :: Arms Around a Stranger (Dig)

Not a bad alternative band, but they've got a ways to go

alex bushman | Michigan | 01/14/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The other review is obviously for another band since this is neither New Age nor George Michael-like leading vocals. I am aware there is another band named Acute from Scotland, I believe. As for this band from California, I believe, they weave a full sound and the only problem is they don't have much to say with it. They try to cover this by the quote in the liner notes from Fellini about how it doesn't matter what you say, but how you say it. While there are elements in that perspective that make the most despicable things digestible, it's ultimately not entirely true and this band is an example of the other side of the spectrum: a band that doesn't have much to say. The lead singers voice is also a liability since his range (both emotionally, and vocally) keeps a number of the tracks on the ground and they don't lift off. A good number of the tracks that do have something simple and interesting to say can escape this like "Follow you home" "Take a step back" "You could end up in love." This promise makes the record somewhat enjoyable and the aforementioned full sound makes their future look shiny, hopefully they continue to improve. It's a short album at under 30 minutes, even with a few slower tracks, so it comes off as light as a feather. They mix up there sound from Cars-like pop to downtempo chamber pop, alt-country and melodic uptempo alternative rock."