South Florida hardcore act
On Our Own put a lot of enthusiasm and a knack for penning interesting lyrics -- but not much else -- into their 2004 debut,
Now and Forever. OK, so exciting opening riffs also figure in their limited repertoire, but these only occasionally parlay themselves into equally exciting songs like "Absolute Contempt" or "Destined to Fail." Singer Carlos' gutturally barked vocal style sometimes recalls New York legends
Agnostic Front -- in style, if not substance -- as does the band's metal-tinged delivery (see the thrash-happy "Divide and Conquer"). But the aforementioned intelligent lyrics aside, that's pretty much where the compliments have to stop. Making matters worse, a few tracks ("The Last Just Man," "Torn Apart") don't even seem to be properly finished -- suddenly tapering off into silence with no net to catch their fall. But then, most of the tracks here last no more than a minute or two, and when a 12-track, 21-minute album has you checking your clock and waiting for the finish, its prospects aren't very good.