Jimmy Eat World, Rival Schools, Less Than Jake, Brand New, The Early November.....when you gather the usual suspects together, that dreaded term 'Emo core' is responsible for heinous crimes where the early 21st Century rock scene is concerned. On the basis of their collective sonic havoc, it seems Saddam Hussein shouldn't be the only one facing murderous charges at present.
So, the notion of being confronted by another band who broadly fit within the scary Emo template is hardly liable to instil boundless glee round these parts. However, Leicester's MY AWESOME COMPILATION - while undoubtedly Emo in make-up - do show signs of aspiring to be square pegs in this well-worn round hole.
Recorded at San Diego's Big Fish studios, "The View Is Amazing" is actually a six-track mini-LP by way of an introduction rather than a fully-fledged debut album and it does have its' moments. Opener "As Always" is a bright, unexpected start, and is pleasantly poppy, with fine call'n'response vocals and some surprising, new wave, Cars-style synth.
The ensuing "Giving Up" confirms the good impression with rolling drums, chiming guitars and Chris Driver's yearning vocals doing the business. Woody Cobb's spangly keyboards are again a help and the fact MAC's overall sound resembles the tuneful intensity of All-American Rejects rather than the all-out bratpop of Less Than Jake and the naff attempts at angularity foisted on us by The Early November is a definite boon.
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They struggle to keep the heat on, though. Thanks to steamhammer drums and an initially bracing squall of guitars, "The Miracle Mile" sounds like a contender at first, though THAT keyboard sound is used again and is starting to wear thin and the whipped pup vocals don't help either. "Butterflies" follows in the slipstream and does have a charming fresh-faced innocence. The piano is a refreshing touch and on the whole it's a keening alt.pop moment and arguably the best thing here.
Sadly it's all downhill from there. "Wish You Well" is so Emo-derivative, your reviewer struggles to even recall it, and while "Our Lives: The Sequel" does have a staccato spirit, it soon loses the plot and its' own impetus, ensuring that what could have been a really good start limps helplessly towards the finishing line.
My Awesome Compilation aren't bad at all, and about half of "The View Is Amazing" harbours real promise. It's too disjointed as a whole, though, and suggests the band need to jettison their overt Emo influences before fireworks will really fly. One for the 'pending' pile, methinks.
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