One Thousand Reasons to Stay...One Reason to Leave

Album Review

Sprinkled with new wave theatrics and a sweet bubblegum pop or girl group flavoring, this Canadian group knows what it can and cannot pull off. The tight jangle rock of "Start Over" and "Your Thesaurus Won't Help You Now" is constant but competes with a synthesizer element, resembling a modern-day version of the Bangles or Go-Go's. Although some titles might be a bit wordy or eclectic, the group's plan of airtight pop rhythms and cavity-inducing harmonies is bound to attract power pop listeners. Both Heather Campbell and Alison Somers share most of the vocals, including the pretty "Mercury Is Clearly Opposing Neptune." Unfortunately, when the band changes pace, songs suffer as a result. "Sno-Globe" is a soppy downbeat track that adds little to the album. In other songs, such as the melodic "Pancake Bay Weather Station," the band resembles Sixpence None the Richer in its tone. The song also contains some orchestral strings in its chorus. There is no more defining track than "Better Days," with a gentle harmony and sweet pop arrangement. Another great track is the high-school slow-dance track "I've Done It Wrong Again," although it tends to lose a bit of its steam near its culmination.