There’s only so much bland, inoffensive pop-punk a genre can take before it implodes. It has kind of happened now with ‘screamo’, with bands of that ilk dying off for the latest fashion trend. That seems to be bands that sound like Cartel and Boys Like Girls because Ivoryline are another off the conveyor belt of cookie-cutter bands who do nothing new and fail to even strike a chord on a couple of songs.
‘There Came A Lion’ is really bland. Aside from the first couple of songs, which incidentally showcase a catchy chorus and some slighty-above-average riffs, this record tails off into forgettable fare. There’s just nothing here to stand out, very few songs which stick in your mind and even fewer choruses which beg to be sung along to. And this comes from someone who likes this type of music! Cartel and Boys Like Girls manage to get people singing along and if you;re going to be generic and inoffensive you at least need to be catchy. Ivoryline are disappointing and nothing better than average.