The Dark Romantics
Heartbreaker

Release Date: Sep 9, 2008

You can't get too down on a band for trying to cash in on a certain sound. Countless others have done it and done it well. The Strokes spawned The Cribs, Libertines spawned the Arctic Monkeys and so forth. Florida group, The Dark Romantics, take their cues from groups like The Killers and Interpol. Most likely using the same guitar pedals, same vocal effects and maybe even the same drugs (probably not).

Second album, Heathbreaker, Is pretty blatant, pretty straightforward and in the end; pretty boring. The Dark Romantics formed in 2005 with lead singer Eric Collins and guitarist Dean Paul enlisting their wives Carla and Amanda to bass and keys. Starflyer 59’s Jason Martin produced debut album, Some Midnight Kissing, and follow up album Heartbreaker is pretty much more of the same.

Opening track, "Heartbreaker Pt. 3", is probably the most interesting song on all of Heartbreaker. It's a pleasant vocoder tease invoking the spirits of Air and early 80's ELO. A promising beginning until the actual songs start. The songs then continue to plod on and on, until three tracks in you may ask, "Is this the same song?” There is very little punch and even less hooks. Tracks "Love and Pain" and "Let's Ride" are for sure the strongest of the album. Lead singer Eric Collins attempts his best A.C. Newman/Brandon Flowers impersonation here, but cannot manage to write a hit like his heroes.

Who doesn't enjoy a band that could be classified as "music to kill yourself by,” bands like the Smiths, Joy Division, The National; the usual suspects. These songs wouldn't even cause a paper cut. That isn't to say The Dark Romantics lack talent. These are all competent players with great guitar tones, lush synths and haughting backing vocals. Unfortunately, the songs do nothing to amuse or make any attempt grab you in the special naughty places.

If you're into brooding electro infused jangly guitar rock, give The Church a try, or even VHS or Beta.