theSTART are a group who have risen from the ashes of a number of underground Californian bands. Fronted by former Human Waste Project vocalist Aimee Echo, the line-up is rounded out by former Snot drummer, Jamie Miller, who now handles the roles of guitar and keyboards, drummer Scott Ellis who is also formerly of Human Waste Project and bassist Jeff Jaeger whose prior outing was current up and comers 30 Seconds To Mars. However, despite their history, the sound the group have concocted with this, their debut release, is one that shows little to no similarities to their previous efforts altogether. Rather than angst filled punk meets new metal, theSTART toy with an interesting blend of glam pop ala Duran Duran complete with traces of darker ventures like Depeche Mode and post punk new wave akin to Joy Division; rounded out by edgy riffs and the modern day alternative techno stylings of Orgy and Videodrone.

Band frontwoman Aimee Echo is in fine form, mesmerizing with her emphatic and poignant vocal structures which literally glaze the tracks with a sense of feel good energy, all the while avoiding the aggressive growls and screams she once used to immerse herself in back in HWP. Guitar work is a bit more in your face however, using a light tinge of distortion while amplifying the songs with volume and swirling harmonics that form a veritable aural whirlwind around the listener. Backed by pulsing basslines that borrow heavily from 80's new wave, the detached lowend throbs through each track, adding a touch of nostalgia while also ensuring a constant rush of hooky, progressive momentum. Drum wise the album is very precise, backed by a concise array of sharp snare hits played with an almost mechanical style, sounding like an outdated drum machine being programmed with warm organic tones. Keyboards/synth also play a rather large part in the bands musical makeup, injecting the songs with a wealth of spiraling sounds, yet rather than sound lo-fi or cutting edge, they also hark back to the days of old, resembling ideals similar to that of the founders of the new wave moment being brought up to date with the latest technology.

Overall, those expecting something along the lines of Snot or Human Waste Project will probably be sorely disappointed, for theSTART are a band who carry little to no ties to its members past projects. At its very core, the album is for the most part pop, but it's not the cookie cutter manufactured bastard child of pop we know today; instead it is the breed of pop that once signified a time of change from the turbulent world of screeching punk. Its passionate and honest, catchy and simplistic and at times even a bit goth and introspective. It's a fair bet to say that fans of groups like Orgy, Deadsy, Videodrone and perhaps even Mindless Self Indulgence may find solace in the collection of shimmering songs laid forth on this CD. But it is also a fair to say that it will no doubt be too upbeat and tame for the masses who hunger for brutish riffs and vocal chord tearing screams. Still, though it may go right over the heads of the metal hungry nation, it does have enough charm to find its niche and above is a step in a different direction and as with everything that dares to tread outside the current trends, there is always a band there at the start.