Published Sept. 8, 2003, in the Kansas State Collegian

Review by Matthew Webber

Band: Pomeroy
Album: "Identity"
Number of Songs: 5
Best Song Titles: "Get Out of My Shadow," "The Lies of September"
Who they sound like: 311, The Urge, Limp Bizkit
How to Describe Them: Radio-ready rap rock, but with a groove

It's hard to categorize Pomeroy, which is as much a complaint as it is a compliment. Further, it might prove to be a curse, as record labels may find it difficult to market a band that sometimes sings, sometimes raps and occasionally includes an organ.

If Pomeroy is able to translate the heavy grooves that anchor this record into an equally heavy (and groovy) live show, the band shouldn't have a problem transcending the inevitable critical belittling to follow. Usually the band's rock, rap and funk mix coalesces smoothly. Occasionally, however, especially in "Vocal," the band's nu metal poses recall Crazy Town or worse.

Band: Ultimate Fakebook
Album: "Electric Kissing Parties"
Number of Songs: 11
Best Song Titles: "Downstairs/Arena Rock," "Circus Horrors"
Who they sound like: Weezer, Nada Surf, Cheap Trick
How to Describe Them: Distortion-drenched power pop

The members of Ultimate Fakebook are probably geeks, but nowadays that's a compliment. They sing about old math teachers, "metal kings" and a probably self-referential "fakebook." The guitars throughout the album are as sweet as they are grungy, and the solos are almost ironically sonic.

It's rock 'n' roll for people who are outwardly too timid to rock. The band loves esoteric lyrical references, throaty singing and wanna-be gargantuan choruses. It probably hates being called "emo." But if it sounds like emo, someone will say it is. Ultimate Fakebook is the sound of modern rock -- how you feel about the former depends upon the latter.