The endearing charm featured on Facing New York's full-length debut is that of an artistic honesty not often seen these days - even on the indie label circuit. A dreary, yet bright-eyed venture into the world of progressive space rock with angular indie rock propulsion, the bands material can invoke a charming instrumental haze, that while densely constructed, remains accessible and direct.

Much of the album is comparable to the works of bands like Engine Down, and given enough time, Facing New York may just be able to fill in some of the void left by the aforementioned outfit. But while their approach is garnished by organic resilience, doting keys and jangling instrumentation; the punchy rhythm section and occasional riff-driven freakouts, not too mention distinct choruses, can at times place the band somewhere more along the lines of a group like Cave In.

Undeniably talented, the only real pitfall found here is the tendency to drag things on with droning notes and repetition. Yes these moments can be atmospheric, but they can also dilute the materials focus. Sure, not every track seems fully fleshed out and songs like the cascading "Flagstaff" or the jazzy At The Drive-In-esque "Styrofoam Walls" stand head and shoulders above the others. But even at their most timid, Facing New York still deliver a sound both as immense and diverse as the city they take their moniker from, making this an album more than worthy of praise.