“Isn’t it tragic / isn’t it something?” are the first words on June’s Make it Blur. As it turns out, this release is tragic, and it’s something — a collection of 12 emo rock songs that try and fail to draw the listener into June’s world.
While guitarist / vocalist Tim Brennan has a great voice, there’s not a lot of exciting or attention-grabbing music. The lyrics are mediocre, as when Brennan sings on “Just Don’t Let Go” that “You are not alone / so hold on and don’t let go / You are not alone.” Not much to get excited about, and while lesser lyrics have been written, the music behind the words isn’t able to shoulder the burden.
I listened to this release multiple times, waiting for a connection, but I’m still disconnected. The lyrics in “Machine And The Line” and “Just Don’t Let Go” are the perfect exmaple of what sinks this release: “We can make this right for the first time / we’re moving ahead / we are close to the end of your line / you’ll follow instead.” What is there to care about when you hear those lyrics? Nothing.
And that makes it harder for the rest of the band. Drummer Mark Sutor, guitarist Mark Palacz and bassist AJ Brown have a solid foundation. The music is upbeat at times and shifts according to what Brennan is singing about, but there’s just not a lot of interesting ideas. “Sight For Sore Eyes” should have been faster because Sutor’s snare on all four beats sounds like the song is too slow. It’s the strangest effect.
There is no peak on this album. The press kit hypes this band as one of their genre’s most infectious and exciting band, but I beg to differ. I don’t think I’ll listen to this disc again.
