Spun: Radio For Help

By Alastair Starke

Radio For Help is a pop-rock group from Edmonton, Alberta. The band is quite successful in their hometown, and have been performing together since 2006. Make Today, their third album, is put together remarkably well — but it left me incredibly disappointed.

With Make Today, Radio For Help follows the tried-and-tested five-part formula to pop-music success: guitar, bass, synthesizer, drums and vocals. These elements are brought together beautifully by the band, but after the first few songs their lack of imagination becomes hard to ignore. Each song on the album sounds like the less ambitious work of another artist. “I’ll Be” sounds like something by Owl City, and “Hide & Seek” sounds like some of Simple Plan’s work. The album is about as safe and picturesque as a Norman Rockwell painting — to put it another way, it is mundane.

Make Today is frustrating. In tracks like “Through My Eyes” we hear the talent of some promising young artists. These songs have a level of precision and dedication that is truly impressive. There’s definitely a market for this album out there. I just wish that Radio For Help cared less about the potential market and more about the potential music.

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