The Drawbacks
At least a spark EP
self-released
Good power pop bands have this thing--this ability to turn a catchy song into one that's outright feverish. They leave you with no choice but to clap or tap your foot along. The Drawbacks have that thing. The group, based in Falköping, Sweden, offers five well-constructed songs on this release. Guitars surge on the big chorus of "Orange", while a fast tempo and sing-along backing vocals make "Straight lines and circles" a standout. The bitter lyrics on "Transparency" are subsumed by the dazzling melody and soaring harmonies, bringing Teenage Fanclub to mind. The spacier "Trampoline" doesn't work quite as well, but a lot of bands would relish the luxury of having a song that solid be the weakest spot on the CD. I'm dumbfounded that their last guitarist left them to play heavy metal. If you're headed to the west of Sweden, go see The Drawbacks--and shake to that tambourine!
- Matthew W. Smith