SENDERS – Recovery

If the Senders’ new EP, Recovery, proves anything, it’s that they are a genre band. Safe in their cocoon of emo aggression, there is nothing to differentiate them from the constant flow of similar sounding bands.

On the A-side, the track “Cuffed” sounds like a blanketed wall of sound pushing about, switching up, but ultimately not amounting to much. Sure, it has enough quiet parts and bridges and alterations to keep a music fan amused, but it feels like they band is saying “Look over here!” in an attempt to distract you from the fact that the music just isn’t all that exciting.

On the B-side, the song “Near Freeport” fares a tad better. The drums are precise and exciting here, standing high above the rest of the band. Senders seem to realize this, giving the drums their own The Who-like build up. But when they sing “I can see your faceless brain” — no matter how it’s structured I have to sit and wonder, What? What does that mean? Anything? It seems like aggression without context. There’s something dark about the phrase, but in the end it doesn’t amount to anything. If this is your type of music, I’m sure you’ll have no problem getting decent enjoyment out of this EP. But if you’re on the fence, this won’t pull you over.

(Kiss of Death Records, PO Box 75550, Tampa, FL 33675)