Route 215
Steal Your Soul With Rock 'n Roll (2003)
Brian Shultz
So, according to the press release, Route 215 is rather big internationally. It seems as though these East London lads garnered their fame, however, through American-styled pop-punk with the very slight dosage of power pop.
"Gtt" opens the band's fourth release, Steal Your Soul With Rock 'n Roll, very promisingly as a fast-paced, Mr. T Experience-ish number, but it's probably the best track on an overall weak and dragging full-length that doesn't deliver on its assuring title. A couple tracks later, however, a title delivers exactly what it promises: "The Weezer Song" apes the geek rock pioneers trait for trait, whether it be the 50s-styled but grungy power chords, the Cuomo-esque yelp, or even the "drop my date off at her house and contemplate what to do next" situation. "Ghost Rock" sounds like a choice cut from the Josie & the Pussycats soundtrack.
Also, the lead vocalist reminds me of what Tim Armstrong would sound like if he was young and drugfree.
Sorry for outright blowing your mind right there.
In short, there's a couple tracks that pass for fun and catchy albeit adolescent times, but this style gets real old real quick, and letting it run for forty-five minutes doesn't help it a whole lot either.
Oh, and yes, since you asked - this is quite possibly the worst cover art ever.
MP3s