Nightmare of You - Nightmare of You

While 2005 marks the debut of Nightmare of You, the respective members have been involved in several notable bands. Frontman Brandon Reilly formerly held down lead guitar in The Movielife, while drummer Sammy Siegler previously contributed his talents to CIV and, most recently, Rival Schools. One probably wouldn't expect this foursome of Long Island natives to churn out a healthy dose of amorous, undeniably catchy pop music, but that's exactly what their self-titled debut boasts. With a sound that centers on strong melodies, Reilly brings Nightmare of You's songs to life with his tales of sex, love and loss. The strange mix of pristine arrangements with melancholy narratives works well for Reilly and crew. "The Days Go By Oh So Slow" opens the set with an up-tempo romp, all the while Reilly croons sweet nothings to his anonymous lover. A pulsating bass line and various electronic touches give way to an undeniable catchy chorus on "My Name Is Trouble." Then, "Heaven Runs On Oil" closes the album with a somber ballad that slightly touches on the current state of world affairs. Without dropping names, it's not hard to uncover the influences behind Nightmare of You -- especially since their own biography cites a reference to the "1980's Manchester scene." Nevertheless, Nightmare of You was intent to introduce a refreshing sound into music today. By leaving the distortion and angst at the door, that's exactly what they've done. [www.nightmareofyou.com]