Ledger

I was leery. I saw the back cover with the wistful doe-eyed emo three piece boy band – the epitome of cliché collegiate crap rock – and I was afraid. I was afraid of 45 minutes of three chord whine-fest.

On first listen, million billion is reminiscent of a less mature Gin Blossoms. The early tracks are a little trite… with ambivalence about commitment, drinking too much and twenty-something sex-addled angst as reoccurring themes. On further listen, however, you get the sense this band has found the something that it professes to seek in its song "all the times." As you progress through the tracks you are guided through the various influences of million billion including a little Latin spice mixed with 80’s synth-pop surrounding a solid core of indie and folk rock.

Skip forward to Track four "inhuman." This song is beautifully constructed with haunting backing vocals and strings. Perhaps most haunting about this song is lead vocalist, Gavin Bellour’s, inflection and enunciation of certain words. Words like "indecision," "precision" and "perfectly" all take on new meaning. The song is lonely while at the same time the harmonies and melodies are playfully arranged.

Tracks five and six feel like a hokey rip-off of Bob Dylan, although the lyrics of "apocalypse now" are at least lively and witty. The album, "ready.aim.fire," has its fair share of sleepy songs including "iceberg" and "psalm for lovers without lovers."

All in all, this is a good album which demonstrates million billion’s solid musical talent, appreciation for a wide range of musical styles and potential to woo the soulful, thinking indie girl or boy… however with the exception of "inhuman," the songs from ready.aim.fire are not likely to find their way onto my iPod’s Favorites playlist.

Don’t buy this album if you are looking for a jam fest, a bumpin’ grindin’ dance album or anything that will inspire you to shake your booty (and/or maim small animals). Do buy this album if you are willing to give it a listen and appreciate all the subtle flavors, witty lyrics and melodic playfulness of this album over a rainy afternoon sipping coffee.