The Dormers' Impossible Things begins with a promising build of rough and riffy, almost classic rock-influenced guitars on "Gnoth Seauton" before pushing into urgent and emotionally pained, raspy punk melodies on "The Ghost of What I Was". And then it all gets mediocre from there.

This build of heartfelt (though not necessarily all-encompassing) urgency continues through to "Adina", with is drawn back by the oft-clichéd request to "Turn up the radio!". By now, it's clear the band is running a relatively straightforward path, a sound that sort of comes off like a less exciting and enticing cross between Red City Radio and early Loved Ones. But "Hammerdown" brings the raw desperation to a halt with a seemingly random dose of funk-reggae. While the song's not bad, and somewhat catchy, actually, it kills any forward, emotional momentum Impossible Things might have been building. That style makes more sense on Track 10, the quite similar "Bad Vibes".

A nice little strain lilts about on the mid-tempo "Flags", but the gang chorus is a little overdone and the spacey guitar effects come in too quickly to make a proper impact. They also kinda do the same thing with the very next track, "Carry You". C'mon guys, spread it out! When they employ a bit of later Small Brown Bike vibes on the verses of "No More Goodbyes", you can sense potential, but the more playful guitar style in the chorus throws the drama off some.

There's something about the recording tone that's bothersome, too. It sounds tinny, splashy and strangely trebly, something greatly exemplified by the title track. If the production was a little fuller and more meaty, it might bring the band's scruffy earnestness to the forefront a little better.

It's understandable what the Dormers are trying to accomplish here, but it's faulty and a bit out of order. It can also be pretty watered down at times. That being said, get these guys a good producer, give them some time to refine their songwriting and their heart will carry them into far better places.

STREAM
Adina
Impossible Things
No More Goodbyes