Clair de Lune toe the line between rock and "emo," although lead singer
Justin Burckhard manages not to wail or utter blood-curdling screams during the decent, winding "Killjoy" that sounds like some cross between
Alexisonfire and
Billy Talent without the manic energy. However, the band is able to shift gears with the best of those groups, making for an interesting and infectious finish. From there,
Clair de Lune keep the momentum going with "Checkers," a tune that leans towards angular rock while "Airplanes" is a grittier, meatier, punk rock effort that brings to mind
Taking Back Sunday or
My Chemical Romance. The group's diversity, though, is also apparent and doesn't diminish the overall effect, a good example being the melancholic and textured title track followed by the brawny "Black Heart Charades" that sounds like a modern day homage to
the Cure in their heyday. Another highlight has to be the strong and polished "I'm a People Person" built around the guitar work of
Burckhard and
Tom Caughlan. The album's nadir might be the ensuing comedown feeling oozing out of "Winning Over Grief and Sorrow" which is a tad too theatrical, particularly with the strings accenting the song. The closing "Criminal" is another winding, twisting track that shows the group at its best. And the 14-minute closer actually contains some hidden bonus material.