Just by looking at the intricate artwork, I had a feeling that BREAKING PANGAEA would be a band that entrusts great depth within the soundtrack to its musical forrays. In simple terms, this bands plays driving indie rock, with strong leanings towards power-pop. There’s a fair amount of “gusto” to be found on “Cannon to a Whisper,” but for the most part, this disc just wanders along with quiet domination and gentle melodies. At there heaviest moments, BREAKING PANGAEA remind me of a less gruff HOT WATER MUSIC, and in their more typical jangly tasks, the Deep Elm Records sound shouts out. With ten songs that languish for 47 minutes, I just don’t have the kind of patience that this kind of release demands, but the musicianship, sharply personal lyrics, and dark production style are all well done. The second track, “Wedding Dress” rasps abrasively with subject matter detailing a life that never quite made it towards full potential, entrapped by the bottle-necking of being in a relationship that stifles one’s ability to connect with the outside world. The intensity that’s displayed with the way the words come out is pretty neat, and there’s not too many bands that I know of that can command weight like that. If ALKALINE TRIO is too peppy and tight for your aural needs, BREAKING PANGAEA paint the same kind of bleak picture but with the bonus of additional sedatives.

Undecided Records

www.undecidedrecords.com