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The problem with overselling something is that, if it works, expectations are created. High ones at that. So while there’s nothing violently wrong with Passenger Action’s self-titled full-length debut, there is something troubling about the Canadian rockers’ image. What Passenger Action promises is a compromise between technical and punk rock which, while contradictory, is still an interesting premise. What they deliver is competent, complacent pop-rock in the vein of the latest albums from Valencia, Our Lady Peace and the Starting Line.

Oh sure, there are flecks of punx speckles here and there, and the band doesn’t rely solely on common time. Album opener “Tonight We Resonate” is a solid first track, starting with a lonely chord progression before exploding into a fist-pumper. Instrumental numbers “(Night Frisbee)” and “(Good Ones Are Hard to Come By)” reveal a knack for more ambient, experimental material. They’re each under two minutes long, but reveal a musical depth that that band seems to subvert on their other songs. “Good Ones” briefly recalls U2 circa The Joshua Tree; combined with frontman Shawn Moncrieff’s love of clean, powerful vocals, these guys could really push themselves towards something bigger and/or better. By which I mean OLP circa Happiness…Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch instead of OLP circa Healthy in Paranoid Times. Five-minute finale “Twenty Weeks” further hints at the band’s potential for dreamier, sludgier material.

But for the most part, Passenger Action is merely an adequate release rendered disappointing by inappropriate marketing. These songs don’t have much in hooks or delivery. Passenger Action doesn’t do anything annoying or offensive, but that’s part of the problem: Their album is too safe and unremarkable. But if you’re into pseudo-emo rock, hey, here’s something from our neighbors up north.



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    Posted by T-Rock on 2009-08-21 09:58:55
    My Score:

    This is honestly one of the worst reviews I've ever read on this site. Amazing album, but as somebody else mentioned, it takes a few listens to stick. The technicality in the tracks, and just the sheer amount going on sonically, is amazing.

    Posted by andrewking on 2009-07-23 17:33:19
    My Score:

    Sorry pal, but you're way off. The first paragraph, as it's been mentioned a few times already, makes it seem as though you didn't even listen to this disc more than once - probably as background music, as the only thing notably close to anything The Starting Line has ever done is the vocal similarities between Shawn and what's his name from TSL. Colour me disappointed.

    Posted by cubaricho on 2009-07-22 22:21:10

    It's really obvious this review didn't listen to the album more than twice. This is one of my favorite albums but it took about five-to-ten listens to really "get" and understand. But when these songs stick, they really, really stick. They will be stuck in your head for days and well worth it.

    Posted by sonicdefiance on 2009-07-22 11:12:19

    The album I meant to say was "Slow Fade Or: How I Learned To Question Infinity". But, the review was still shit!

    Posted by sonicdefiance on 2009-07-22 11:10:20

    This has got to be one of the more incompetent reviews and lack of knowledge in general on a band I have ever read. Passenger Action, parts of Choke (an amazing band, I had the pleasure to know and play with) and The Fullblast (another amazing band, their bassist now plays for A Wilhelm Scream and other members have become Living With Lions). This release is indefinitely amazing, as if they picked up right where Choke left off with "There's A Story To This Moral". Very Technical and Punk Rock and the same time, there is so much musicianship than "complacent pop-rock in the vein of the latest albums from Valencia, Our Lady Peace and the Starting Line." Amazing musicians, and amazing songwriters that definitely push the line of Punk Rock and Progressive Technicality, and which all of those bands would die for their talent. I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with this review.

    Posted by booker_pee on 2009-07-21 22:10:50
    My Score:

    This review is wrong.

    This review is right: http://www.soundsalvationarmy.com/?s=passenger action

    Posted by Ellsi on 2009-07-21 22:02:56
    My Score:

    Disagree totally, really dug this album.

    Posted by plasticgreenm16 on 2009-07-21 18:29:01

    "...a musical depth that that band seems to subvert on their other songs..." Really? I'm starting to think you probably never even listened to this record and based on your review I'm wondering why you would even bother or how you even heard about them. My advice for you is to stick with what you know, don't try new things, it only makes you look ridiculous.

    Posted by chickswithdicks on 2009-07-21 17:49:44

    I've got to disagree, this has been one of my favourite's of 2009, though I did enjoy the EP they put out last year too. I would've perhaps preferred Choke to remain a band but really, this is the musical direction they were headed anyways. I enjoy this album more than the last one from Choke but not quite as much as 'Foreword' and 'There's a Story...'

    Posted by icapped2pac on 2009-07-21 17:45:51
    My Score:

    I hate when links to hear songs are not provided with the review. Bad form. For those interested:

    http://www.myspace.com/passengeractionrock

    Posted by icapped2pac on 2009-07-21 17:44:21
    My Score:

    Man. I'm going to have to disagree quite a bit, too. I thought this was quite solid and enjoyable, and never did it remind me of anything nearly as poppy as The Starting Line. I beg people to spend a minute or two checking out some songs before they write this band off based on the review.

    Posted by DarrenMcLeod on 2009-07-21 14:22:31
    My Score:

    Disagree. I think it's a pretty solid album, although sadly, nowhere near the level of brilliance that is Choke.

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