Southern California-based emo-punk-pop/rockers
Runner Runner specialize in the kind of expertly crafted modern rock that accompanies fleshy spring-break montages and sappy American Idol exits. Conceived as an emo-pop side project for members of SoCal punk outfit
Over It,
Runner Runner know exactly what they want, and make no effort to hide their commercial yearnings. Big, rousing group vocals in the style of
Andrew W.K. and
Anberlin, huge guitar hooks, dancefloor-ready electro beats, and enough Auto-Tune to render
Kanye West's use of the much maligned pitch correction software subtle, the 12 tracks that make up the band's eponymous major-label debut sound like an immaculate mash-up of
Fall Out Boy and post-
Hysteria Def Leppard. ~ James Christopher Monger