On a quest to reach a new sound or style there are always failed experiments and faceless stepping stones. With "Do I Have To Tell You Why I Love You" Nevea Tears try their best not to become either, integrating keyboards and pop undercurrents into a predominantly screamo style that is about as ragged as a hobo's wardrobe.

Comparable to a combination between the likes of Atreyu, The Rise and older Underoath, the music this band craft is inherently schizophrenic and despite all it's snarled vocals, surprisingly pop-oriented. To put it bluntly though, it's a mess from the get-go, with clustered layers trading places with anemic structuring and heartfelt wailing quickly taking on the MTV2-friendly emocore approach. The menacing vocals and chugging riffs, while enjoyable, are often juxtaposed against a surprisingly thin rhythm section which is far too focused on doing its own thing. This lack of thick cohesion detracts from a solid approach and is only further undermined by the bands rampant hyperactive part changes.

Credit does has to be given to the group for trying their hand at a style that is relatively unique. They have their moments and while they usually seem to let them pass by, occasionally they do take hold of them and create a rather intriguing song, or at least verse or chorus. But with a sappy tendency that generally leads into the type of annoyingly contrived and generically substandard heart on their sleeve emo croons, these moments of genius are quickly dashed and exchanged for those of mediocrity. Add in a surprisingly loose production an abundance of ramshackle song writing and the band just may have to tell the listener why they're bothering with this album as well.