The debut album from
Gnomes of Zurich doesn't try particularly hard to rock out, and it doesn't do so; at the same time, it doesn't try particularly hard to be complex or melodic, and it doesn't achieve this either. The remaining middle ground is a competently written but ultimately an uninspired indie rock sound, which isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world. 33rd Degree Burns is incredibly unlikely to blow anyone's socks off, but it's a fair to middling release from a largely inoffensive band. ~ Nitsuh Abebe