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June - Make It Blur in the making |
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Review by Andy Argyrakis Anyone who's followed June's short but storied career thus far will be able to trace an enormous evolution, from its catchy but unremarkable debut If You Speak Any Faster, through the much tighter and broader sonic brush strokes of Make It Blur. The Chicago-based foursome channels a wide palette of influences, from the alternative rock and roll royalty of the Foo Fighters to the guilty pleasure pop of Third Eye Blind and dance floor packer Justin Timberlake.While the guys aren't attempting to bring sexy back per say, several of the songs are packed with aggressive, sweat-inducing grooves, such as "Your Shadow" and "Machine and the Line." But tunes like "Tempter" and "Just Don't Let Go" are pure bred pop at its finest, loaded to the brim with high harmonies and gripping emotion (while never crossing into full-blown emo territory). Producer Marc McClusky (Powerspace, Hit the Lights) helps bring out the band's rougher side, especially on the jarring "Closer" and "A Taste." However, June still leaves some space for development, such as the moody and somewhat whiny power ballad "Sight For Sore Eyes" and the generic, mid-tempo rock finale "Southpoint." Those who take the time to scan even further on the last track will come across a hidden and untitled acoustic tune that's equally disposable (better relegated to a b-side exclusively for die-hards). But for those who let the disc loop back to the beginning, redemption comes through "No Time For Sense," which fools with a somewhat melancholy opening before exploding with instrumental recklessness, simultaneously earning June unpredictable appeal and creative cachet |