The Talk are the core trio of singer Justin Williams, bassist C.R. Rollyson, and drummer Jeremy Holcomb. And while they don't quite make the noise or have the volume other trios do, they manage to make each of their songs into a journey, starting off with "Any Other Saturday," a cross between hard rock and Brit-pop with Williams waxing about his depressing moods. The payoff is the somewhat majestic segment halfway through the song. The momentum fortunately continues on the midtempo pop of "Man Narrates," which instantly recalls the likes of
Suede or
the Tears with its near-theatrical vocals. A radio-friendly single ensues with "I Started Running," which begins like a B-side from
the Killers, but its arrangement doesn't go to the next level like it could; instead, it's just a wall of keyboard and guitars. One truly bizarre touch is the horn-accented party vibe of "With Guns in Our Hands" -- perhaps inspired by watching The Commitments one too many times. When the bandmembers stick to what they do best, namely frantic, high-energy, high-octane pop/rock, they shine, especially on the centerpiece, "These Swollen Eyes," while the adorable but too short "It Comes with the Territory" is the perfect complement to "Dakota" by
Stereophonics. Otherwise, you'll have to make do with solid tracks like "N.Y.L.A.," which quickly changes into a higher, infectious gear. ~ Jason MacNeil