There’s nothing wrong with this band per se, they just sound like a less energetic Paramore. Singer Ash Costello has a voice that lacks any kind of range. I mean, she can hit basic notes, but there’s just something missing. You listen to Hayley Williams and there’s power and emotion, even on a basic pop song level, but when Ash sings on ‘I Was Right’ I just don’t feel it. There’s something missing. Maybe it’s the production just taking something away, but it’s all a little…I dunno, soulless.
This self-titled record has a clutch of well-written songs, all based around a gentle pop-punk/rock sound and a gentle female vocal. They’re all similarly paced which makes the tracks blend together on repeated listens and as Ash doesn’t really push herself vocally there’s little to stand out. A couple stand out as being worthy of a little singalong, but these moments are all too brief. And while I’m sure the band hate the lazy Paramore comparisons, the fact that one band are fast rising coverstars and the other, well, just aren’t, speaks volumes. Refining their sound and pushing the range are certainties if New Years Day want to celebrate in 2008.