To coin a new phrase, The Pale dishes up a helping of Pacino (PACI-fic NO-rthwest) Rock. There are abundant similarities with other Seattle favorites like Wes Dando, Aaron Sprinkle, Sunny Day Real Estate and the defunct Static. With this musical environment to foster their sound in, The Pale has endless possibilities at succeeding. They play aptly and show impressive skill.

While they don’t lack for potential, they still haven’t quite defined their sound. The feeling of the album teeter-totters, at times undecidedly. Some songs fall into the territory of a more creative Matchbox 20; many mid-tempo songs echo the aforementioned Pacino Rock sound; others still have been injected with hefty doses of Radiohead. Bouncy, twangy radio-pop gives way to post-punk, modern rock with time signatures, inventive chord changes and guitar licks that would make any mother proud. The outstanding “Lights Out” shines with seven minutes of swirly, reverbed guitars. Also “Common Sense, ”really has a very innovative sound for people on the go. This album is quite solid, and rumors about the strength of their live show indicate that this band might be one to watch.