Permanent Me - After the Room Clears

Genre rock Publisher Stolen Transmission Records External Links Official Permanent Me Website Official Stolen Transmission Website

One would think from all the hoopla surrounding Permanent Me's debut album that the twelve tracks would contain something groundbreaking. Unfortunately, the hype was just that and Permanent Me haven't truly done anything outstanding or unusual on After the Room Clears. Though some critics may compare their sound to bands like Fall Out Boy and the All-American Rejects, the honest truth is that they aren't doing anything nearly as catchy or entertaining as Fall Out Boy. Almost every track on the 40 minute album sounds the same as the last and even though Stolen Transmission has signed some unique and outstanding artists, Permanent Me just isn't one of them.

"Allison" may have been the song that got Permanent Me discovered by other artists like Sum 41's Deryck Whibley and Nightmare of You's Joe McCaffrey, but it is a little difficult to say exactly what drew them to the completely ordinary pop-punk song (with more emphasis on the pop side of things). The usual pop-rock cliches are all there; big chorus with tight harmonies, power chord based verses and the subject matter is typical boy-likes-girl. It is the kind of song that will appeal to most high school girls but if listeners are looking for something beyond the ordinary, they ought to keep looking.

"Blackjaw" is a standout track, but not in the usual way since it is one of the more annoying songs on the album. Perhaps it is because by the time you get to "Blackjaw" which is track six on the album, listeners have gone into sugar shock, or perhaps it's the completely nonsensical lyrics, or maybe it is the fact that the verses and chorus don't fit together particularly well. Whatever the case, if the song is skipped, listeners won't be missing much.

Even if Permanent Me lack in originality, it is distinctly possible that the album will become a hit, if for no other reason than their music will probably be popular with the high school set. Older listeners, or anyone looking for an album with some variety beyond the typical TRL pop better keep looking because After the Room Clears just doesn't deliver anything beyond that.