Still Life Projector - The Dance Riot (2004)

The opening notes of The Dance Riot, the debut full-length from Sacramento's Still Life Projector, sound as if they could have been nicked from the Cure's landmark downer, Disintegration, but within 30 seconds "Lesson" proves the quintet was taught emo by the numbers. Loud, melodic, and...um...pretty damn proficient, the song is as good as it is formulaic, all the way through to its ferocious breakdown. Vocalist Jerry Reynolds has good pipes, and the group's infectious heartbreak anthem "It Pulls Me Under" will undoubtedly suck in Taking Back Sunday fans. Unfortunately, the majority of The Dance Riot isn't nearly as magical. "System Breakdown" is pretty mediocre, the roar of "Wearing Me Out" lacks a spark, and by the time you've made it through to "Portrait," the group's parting shot, you'll wonder why you've hung in there so long.