Reveal by Underwhelmed, 2009

Genre: Pop/Rock/Alternative

Compared to: Live, Nickelback, Staind, 3 Doors Down, Anberlin

Influenced by: Candlebox, Live, Pearl Jam, Lifehouse, The Twilight Singers

Bio: Most rock bands look to hitch themselves to whatever the hot new musical trend is. Not so with Underwhelmed. The New York based quintet plays a driving and emotionally overwhelming brand of hard rock that hearkens back to an era where bands left everything they had on the stage. On their new album, Reveal, the band displays the unity and sense of purpose that has built the band a growing national base of fans who love rock, because they live it.

Consisting of Chris Amplo on vocals, Mike Russo on bass, his brother Chris Russo on drums, Paul Boyle on guitar and Mike Armstrong on guitar, the story of Underwhelmed is one of friendship and a shared vision. Starting in 1998, when Chris auditioned for the Russo brothers, the band has dedicated themselves to their own vision of what rock can be. As lead singer Chris Amplo says, “We go for a real sense of purity in what we do. We’re not trying to reinvent rock. We’re five guys playing the music the way we think it should be played.” That way is an amalgam of styles, containing everything from the anthem-istic rock of Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen and U2, to the darker sonic palette of bands like the Doors and the Afghan Whigs.

After filling out their lineup with Paul Boyle and Mike Armstrong in 2003, the band set to take New York by storm. Playing legendary clubs like CBGB’s, the band paid their dues in the competitive New York club scene with an attitude that is at the heart of who they are. Mike states, “Basically, we play with the same passion whether we’re playing for 4 people or 4000. I think audiences recognize that, and it has them feel a real connection to us.”

The results have spoken for themselves. 10,000 visitors to their MySpace page each month and expanding tour base including markets in the mid-Atlantic, mid-West, South and Northeast. “We have a band that’s exciting to watch,” Amplo enthuses. Mike and Chris Russo are incredible musicians – Chris is an unbelievably exciting drummer to watch. Mike just kills it on guitar and Paul just oozes with the most unique energy that we get so much from. He’s a real creative inspiration to all of us.” What makes it even more impressive is that the band has done this all on their own, all self-managed and self-financed.

Now the band is set to take things to the next level with the release of their new album, Reveal. Produced by Tom Hazaert at his studios in Strongsville, OH, the album is a collection of songs that are far more than the sum of their parts. Written collectively by the band, the songs display the maturation of the songwriting and confidence that has come with it. As Amplo says, “We’re all more confident in ourselves and each other, and that really comes through in the songs.”

The band will be hitting the road soon – playing whenever they can. “If it was up to me,” says Mike with nods from the rest of the band, “I’d just pack up the van and be gone.” “We love getting out there and meeting people,” says Chris. And with an album containing the skill and depth of Reveal, combined with a work ethic that has already paid the band dividends, it seems only a matter of time until Underwhelmed ascend to a level befitting their status as a truly great melodic hard rock band.

My Review: With thundering guitars and crashing chords and their commitment to excellence in rock and roll, it is little wonder that Underwhelmed and their latest release, Reveal, has topped such charts as Garageband.com and IndiesTop10.com. While being compared to Nickelback and 3 Doors Down, I find them more reminiscent of that great rock band of the 80s, Creed. The first 4 songs on Reveal are full of big hooks and powerful choruses guaranteed to grab the attention of the most discriminating listener.

Track 1, Freak, is a well written, blend of rock, pop and electronica. Track 4, With You, is a nice change of pace power ballad of sorts. These first four songs are Underwhelmed’s strongest and showcase their songwriting and musical talent at its’ best.

Unfortunately, track 6, the title track, a rock anthem, while well executed and enjoyable to listen to, begins to succumb to the formula-like sameness which seems to fill the air waves of so many modern rock stations today. While it may have great commercial appeal, there is nothing that makes it “stand out in the crowd”. The rest of the album continues along these lines. The final track, Silhouette, was recorded live, but, unfortunately the vocals come across as muddied and too far in the background and overshadow the great drum work on this piece. It would have been better to have left this off the album completely. It’s really sad that the last impression you get of Underwhelmed leaves you feeling underwhelmed.

For a debut album, Reveal fits the bill and is a decent entry vehicle for Underwhelmed. Its unfortunate that they get caught up in “the sound of the moment” so that their collective talent is not fully realized. Don’t get me wrong, Reveal certainly will see some commercial sales and airplay, but it will never be a truly great album, that withstands the “test of time”.

It is through songs like Freak, Angel and With You that we see a glimpse of all that Underwhelmed has to offer. With their talent and their phenomenal work ethic and commitment to excellence in rock music, Underwhelmed is definitely a band to watch for in the future! I give them 8 out of 10 and a “thumbs up”.

Reveal, by Underwhelmed is available in our sidebar carousal or from artist’s website.