Invertigo's mix of slick, catchy, predigested tunes, sung by four good-looking guys, gives them a leg up directly into the realms of all-boy bands, along with contemporaries Savage Garden and Human Nature. However, their debut album, Forum, displays a crucial difference between them and other all-boy bands -- they play their own instruments. The album opens with the group's first four singles, all radio-friendly and sickly sweet. "Desensitized," "Chances Are," "Man Enough," and "Say You Do" strike the perfect anthem to accompany Invertigo posters designed to plaster the bedroom walls of teenage girls worldwide. "What If It's Me" highlights the group's harder edge, while "Slave"'s combination of oriental melodies blended with smooth vocals show that Invertigo can craft songs that exhibit depth as well as a catchy hook. The ballad "If I" is a smooth and classy effort, although the other tracks fall into the realm of mediocrity. More marketing than substance, Forum is a catchy debut that shows signs of promise, but lacks the overall depth required for repeat listens.
© Brendan Swift /TiVo