I really enjoyed June's Victory Records debut. I actually enjoyed their self-released EP before that even more. Although June probably should be one of those bands I slag off for being a bit of a Taking Back Sunday-clone, I've always found them different enough to get some real listening pleasure from their albums. I still listen to 'If You Speak Any Faster' and while it's not a consistently great album, it is one of those records that has a couple of really standout tracks on it. So you could say I was eagerly anticipating 'Make It Blur' and secretly hoping it would be one of those under-the-radar releases that sneaks up on you and literally slays all the other albums out at a similar time.
Except it's not. It's actually really wishy-washy and the band, strangely, seem to be going towards a more pop sound than anything a little more crunchy and edgy. Indeed, I've seen descriptions of this record stating 'Make It Blur' will satisfy fans of All American Rejects and Maroon 5 'as much as it will Fall Out Boy and The Fray'. Which, let's face it, is positively frightening. And there's nothing wrong with going for the dancier end of the market, combining slick guitars with bouncey melodies, but June seem to have forgotten both. It's like 'Make It Blur' wants to be a pop record - partially influenced by TBS, partly Panic! At The Disco - but they just forgot to add in all the catchier elements.
And that leaves this album as a disaapointment - so much so I actually went back to the EP and gave that a blast instead. 'Make It Blur' isn't so much a bad album as one that isn't as good as it should be - like a recipe with only half of the ingredients, it just leaves you feeling a little unfulfilled.
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