2006 album from the US four piece who were due to play some UK shows in October but found themselves scuppered by over-zealous immigration officials who made them turn around and head back home again. Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Soular were formed in 2002 by Marsh Shamburger (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Jared Ashcraft (bass). Guitarist Brian Lee joined the band in 2005 and also contributes Theremin. For those who don’t know this is an electronic instrument you play without actually touching it, thus creating an eerie, surreal sound (it’s also a favourite of Aylesbury’s finest two-hit wonder John Otway, who uses it to much comedic effect in his live shows).

So, when Soular failed to make it into the UK did we miss much? I’m afraid to say that on the evidence of the eight tracks here, not really. It’s all pleasant enough to have playing in the background but lacks any real depth to make it worthy of anything more than a cursory listen. Picking out any of the tracks for individual comment isn’t easy as they all drift along in a similar vein; atmospheric modern rockers that would seem to be aimed at fans of Muse and Radiohead, although they don’t come anywhere near reaching the standards set by these two bands. 2004 album ‘Time & Space’ was apparently a winner with US college radio stations and this seems to be very much the target audience.

It would be difficult to find an album in 2007 that contains more tired sounding titles than ‘American Dream’, ‘Take Me Away’, ‘Where Do We Go’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’. And, titles aside, the lyrics are similarly full of all too familiar clichés, uninspiring and lacking in originality. Musically they follow a similar pattern of trying to build sonic landscapes that end up sounding contrived, Shamburger’s whiny delivery grating after just a short while. In fact, the only thing that saves this from getting an even lower mark is that it is reasonably well produced and the band are clearly capable musicians, even if they are lacking in any cutting edge.

‘Waiting For Tomorrow’ is out now and the bands website is at http://www.soular.us/

Let us know your views on 'Waiting For Tomorrow'

Track List

American Dream
Take Me Away
Where Do We Go
You Taste, You Feel
Never
So, This Is The Way It Feels
It's A Shame
Tomorrow Never Comes

 Line Up

Marsh Shamburger
Jared Ashcraft
Ian Byrd
Brian Lee