Although they've been compared to such pissed-yet-tuneful Brits of yesteryear as
Elvis Costello and
the Jam, the Birmingham, U.K. based quartet
Beat Union has also studied modern day pop-punk, as evidenced throughout their U.S. debut, 2008's
Disconnected. In other words, the group favors a glossy-sounding production which reflects the modern day messy-haired, mascara-and-tie-wearing set, rather than the aforementioned acts. As a result, it's the same style that zillions of other similarly styled acts have adopted regularly in the wake of
Green Day and
blink-182 mania: singsongy choruses, relentlessly bashed power chords (but under a sticky sweet sheen), and cutesy boy-girl lyrics, as evidenced by such tuneful ditties as the title track, "Pressure Zone," and "Jonny Loves Jojo." Overall,
Disconnected is equally a fitting soundtrack for an episode of The O.C. or a Sweet 16 roller staking party. ~ Greg Prato