trageser.com
Music Review

Home
Computers
Book Reviews and Reading Diary
CD Buying Guide and Music Links
Best-of lists
CD Reviews
CDs, sorted by Style
CDs, sorted by year issued
CDs, sorted by publication review ran in
CDs by San Diego bands
All CDs, sorted by band name
All CDs, sorted by album title
Interviews
Favorite quotations
Contact Me



Power pop with a sheen

Tomorrow
Tomorrow
By The Material

Self-released: 2007

Buy this CD from CD Baby
Buy it now


This review first appeared in the Nov. 1, 2007 issue of the North County Times.

Built around the powerhouse vocals of Colleen D'Agostino (think Kelly Clarkson or Pat Benatar), the debut six-song EP from San Diego's The Material is a showcase of guitar-driven mainstream rock and power pop.

While it's D'Agostino's velvety yet strong singing that immediately stands out on this CD, without the twin guitars of Jon Moreaux and Roi Elam the CD wouldn't have nearly the muscle it possesses. The production by Brian Grider is slick – a bit too slick, perhaps. There's a sheen to everything, but given the strength of both the band's performance and their songs, a bit of grit would have been nice, too.

Still, the confident yet vulnerable singing of D'Agostino, the aggressive playing of the band and the hook-laden songs create a sound that is immediately accessible and fun – not so very far from the Cranberries.