Albums by this artist

They Would Walk Into The Picture (1999)

Recess Theory

They Would Walk Into The Picture

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» DAVID THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

Recess Theory They Would Walk Into The Picture Take Hold, 1999 RiYL: Sunny Day Real Estate, Pavement

The pop-punk formula can only go so far. Luckily, Recess Theory avoid the traps a band can easily fall into. Instead of relying on the catchiest of hooks, they develop lush songs with intelligent writing and continuous melodies.

Lead singer and guitarist John Ralston's vocals are comparable to the sweet, high-pitched tones of Pavement's Steve Malkmus, and at times exhibit a little grittiness. Working off Ralston's vocals and Nathan Jezek's guitars, songs like "To Be An Anchor" engross the listener early on and keep them hooked by hitting the choruses precisely. The similar "Philadelphia or Reading" follows with a repetitive range of guitars that works on the same formula as "Anchor" but ultimately overindulges.

The band hails from West Palm Beach, Florida, and all attend a small Christian college, but there isn't an overt sense of bible-thumping. The songs are often built on the old relationship-gone-wrong standard, with appropriately timed regret mingled in Ralston's vocals.

Ralston often carries the band on songs like the laid-back "Weatherman" which gives off a dreary feeling of loss. The rest of the band fills the sound out well on other tracks like "Couples Only." Drummer Jeff Snow is a subtle player but keeps some tracks from falling apart. And bassist Steven Eshelmen is so steady he's almost lost behind all the guitar work being laid down.

DAVID THOMAS |