Despistado - The Emergency Response EP

Featuring double guitarwork from Leif Thorseth and Dagan Harding, Brennan Schwartz on drums and bass from Joel Passmore, Canadian punk boys Despistato are making their run at the Rock Star Dream. Translated from Spanish, the band's name means “confused,” and that's a start in terms of describing their EP Emergency Response. The confusion comes from the clear seperation of what they have nailed and what they don't. Part of the formula works: The music. The beats are quirky and tight, and the dueling guitars really come together, complimenting rather than overpowering. In songs like “Take This Picture,” the rhythms undulate and crash in sublime perfection. The bassline lays a confident foundation throughout. Unfortunately, however, part of the record doesn't work: The vocals. Not only is it difficult to make out lyrics, but the whole mealy-mouthed mush is just too high pitched. Most of my time during the first run-through was spent just trying to adjust my equalizer so that I could get the vocals to where they were not making my teeth hurt. I never managed to find any setting that took care of the problem. There is a lot of potential on this record, and for the most part, Despistado have the rhythmic end of things figured out. They have raw energy and urgency on their side. Now, if they would just get straightened out and bring the vocals down a notch. [www.despistadomusic.com]