Salem may not be an instantly familiar name in the turgid emo/rock community, yet they certainly wish to be. Rising from the ashes of Gainesville, FL's As Friends Rust, bassist Tom Rankine and guitarist Joseph Simmons originally intended to retain their former moniker and move on with a line-up makeover. In the process they discovered a batch of local musicians ripe for the picking, and their thoughts of continuing on with melodic hardcore soon vanished. Moving towards a realm more likely to be shared by Further Seems Forever and Saves The Day, these men soon realized that there was more to be found in the quirky pop mutations of post-hardcore, and quickly signed to Fiddler Records. With their debut EP, the unexpectedly indulgent "Love It Or Leave Me", these men have awakened their more artistic instincts and are prepared to overtake a fertile music scene begging for something fresh.

The music found within this fold-out EP is easy to digest in one sitting, and though it boasts the credible duo of Rankine and Simmons, the first element that truly shines is vocalist Adam D'Zurilla. This newcomer takes center stage, emoting with richly melodic vocal textures that resonate with a haunting clarity. The way he caresses and shapes each syllable seems methodical, as he tactfully breezes through each song with the sole intent to woo the listener. His exuberance for the material being performed carries a seductive charm, and to try to ignore the ability he has behind the mic is to turn a blind eye to moody pop bliss. The group seem to realize the capabilities of this unknown treasure and do their best to convey just as much plucky emotion through their respective instruments. This creates a dense yet uplifting indie pop explosion, alternating from tricky time signatures to syrupy sweet melodies. Rankine's low-key bass noodling provides the backbone to "Cancel The Sun", and this brooding base keeps the otherwise airy aural confection firmly on the ground. All the while, Beau Burchell's crystal-clear production aids in allowing Salem to strike with stunning ease, accentuating their sometimes sparse/sometimes explosive dynamics perfectly.

This is moody post-hardcore at its most charismatic, as D'Zurilla's captivating vocal presence accentuates the band's ability to soothe and entertain, but they are nonetheless indebted to their many influences. There are shades of The Cure and Fugazi oozing from every moan and melodic guitar squeal, and the group's atmospheric pop dexterity owes much credit to U2 and The Police. These musical nuances hinder the band from truly shining with their own unique identity, but with that said they do deliver a batch of songs that prove their worth and somehow uncover new ideas by indulging in the past. Despite such obvious inspiration, the band are never burdened with dated sentiment, and though they borrow from some of music's most idolized ensembles they never openly abandon their own creative spark. The songs gathered here are but a glimpse at the powerfully mesmerizing depth that lurks just underneath Salem's surface, and while "Love It Or Leave Me" never exactly fulfills your every desire, it does offer five strong reasons why this quintet will likely be on the tip of everyone's tongue in a matter of months.