Pop-rock is a huge right now and Attention has a shot at being the next big thing. This four-piece group from Minneapolis contains members that did time in Gratitude and The Gloria Record, among others. Stand Strong is the band's latest offering, a six-song self-released EP filled with upbeat pop-rock.
The songs that make up Stand Strong are quite catchy and up-tempo. The group has crafted each song in a manner that you always seem to be tapping your feet or nodding your head along to the beat. The music here is rather reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday in that they combine elements of rock and punk, and a lot of pop flavoring. The songs are infectious, but not overly sugary or trite.
Stand Strong is a good indication of what these guys are capable of producing. I do feel it's a good record, but perhaps a bit of variation in the songwriting - a slower number or two and even a raging punk cut - could really liven things up.
