Pop Evil's Footsteps Not Worth Following In

Depth...if the lyrical depth matches the stage presence a band has a shot a long term success. That would not be the case for Pop Evil, Michigan's contribution to the audio landscape. Its new "Footsteps" talks big but doesn't bring the noise sufficiently. Musically there's a rut afoot. It tends to get wound around the D chord a little too much for my liking. Sorry to subtract credibility ducats because this band has chops and shows them off, fangs arched, combined motors running. Nick Fuelling and Dave Grahs make pulse enhancing noise when their guitar pizzazz gets brought to the forefront. Leigh Kakaty proves an able-bodied front man. He gets right the dictate that you've got to project to the back of the room so the harder of hearing (your Pete Townsend subset) can make you out. Joshua Marunde, Chachi Riot behind the kit keeps the action tight as '80s hair metal spandex. He doesn't seek to overwhelm, merely to settle into an optimum groove and let the rhythms flow effortlessly through his sticks. Matt DiRito holds his own in the bass portion of the pool. They've got to do better than follow the trodden path bread crumb style until they're dizzy from mismanaged effort. To their credit the lyrics lunge forth with notable bang. Much effort goes into keeping one's battle scarred heart from turning to stone. Leigh refuses this defeated posture at all costs. The belly fire refuses to be denied, ignored, mutilated, or spindled. We return to lonely souls and paths worn down by persistent shoe leather. Not telling us anything earlier tune peddlers haven't done with heightened verve. I guess when you've circled this orb of ours long enough you grow weary of tasting the same soup, all the while being convinced by your chef that he's come up with a concoction which makes sliced bread seem quaint, passe, and not worth maintaining much long term memory. Because it's the currency we have in common, time again proves of the essence. What does tomorrow bring? Possibly nothing...possibly the greatest day of one's life. The wrap hasn't been taken off that present yet. The chorus really pushes nuisance levels. Not that the sentiment lacks a heartfelt side but the longer into the song it gets, the more you grow to wish Taylor would gravitate towards something bound to compel attention deficit ravaged ears and minds a little bit easier. Footsteps equal steps on a journey. Said journey can wear even the stoutest man to a nub. Been there, heard that, wanting uncharted terrain now. Pop Evil's liability here lies with how they're treating a rock song like it was disposable, like a wad of expired chewing gum. Rock endures and, over the decades has made doubters sit up and take notice. How sad Pop Evil's latest carries the moniker it does. The band doesn't leave any footprint, carbon or otherwise, in the rock sand. Any crack at lyrical content holding up well as the minute hand strolls along got beaten to the turf on impact. Pop Evil has nicely chiseled tools in its box. A stronger hammer and a commitment to leaving the shallow end now and then would've strengthened its case. "Footsteps" treads too lightly to warrant a thumb's up.