This is another borderline case – on a bad day I probably wouldn’t have reviewed this because it’s more rock or metal than punk or emo. Just because you state Jawbox and Far as influences on a press release does not mean you sound like them – or qualify for a review. Infact if this had been a bit crap, I’d have probably used it as a coaster. Instead, having listened to this a few times all the way through, I can say that while it’s more Feeder than Far, Trend Abuse do have an ear for a melody and a knack of writing catchy hooks.
Over the course of an album it does begin to lag a little with songs blending in together, but in short bursts ‘Feed The Dream’ is pretty good. The song structure is solid and the musicianship clever – this is not a bad that stick to a specific style, nor are they a band that aren’t afraid to implement bass solos or other more inventive and interesting parts. But, to defend this short review, it’s just not something I like to listen to on a regular basis. If Trend Abuse started to get regular airplay on US alternative ‘college rock’ radio stations, I wouldn’t be surprised…
Paul