August Premier's debut album shows them doing what every other Midwest pop-punk band has done: sound a lot like their West Coast counterparts. Whether it's the harmonies, the "woaahhh!"s, or the bubbly guitar parts with the oodles of hooks -- it's all there on
Fireworks and Alcohol. Unfortunately, that means little originality or excitement for those not interested in the pop-punk genre. Most people could do just as well listening to
blink-182 or
the Alkaline Trio, since that seems to be where the band is drawing a lot of its influence (especially with the latter). Thankfully, all the members seem talented and capable at handling their respective instruments, so it's just the overindulgence in pop-punk and the lack of creativity that will inevitably drive the listener to boredom. ~ Kurt Morris