GIVE UNTIL GONE
Settled For the Art Official (Dim Mak)
Reviewed by Jason Thornberry

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This was referred to as "emotive" by their record label, but wasn't whiney enough to be straight-up emo-core. I hate that shit.

'We used to sound like Korn, until we heard Jawbreaker. Now we sound a lot like Jawbreaker."

I hear moments somewhat comparable to No Knife, or a more antagonistic Shudder to Think, but I was actually stunned that I enjoyed "Settled."

I waited for cries of "Waaaaah! This sweater is just too tight!" or encouragement via the singer for me to start bringing my fucking backpack to shows. Nope. Didn't happen. Containing members of the band Adamantium, Give Until Gone plays rock reminiscent of, maybe, Fugazi or Jawbox. No, not 'indie-rock,' not gnu-metal, not diet-rock (refer to Harvey Danger, Creed, or Sugar Ray if you're still wondering), not dance-rock, not pop-rock, (usually just a polite way of saying whichever group you're referring to sounds exactly like Weezer). Their bio compares them to the Promise Ring, but those guys'll probably be jumping aboard the disco bandwagon when it rolls into town.

This here thingee is morose, without being overly gooey, or dated-sounding. There are a few dramatic moments of whimpering mediocrity, but Give Until Gone are able to make a balance with good songwriting. Recommended. Standout track is "Shirley Temple of Doom," which had me hitting the Repeat button. I listened to that one four times in a row. Not a bad sign. Grade: B

[Pick up this CD at http://www.lumberjack-online.com.]

© 2002 - Jason Thornberry