Vonray
's self-titled
Elektra
debut is a collection of guitar anthems and
ballads
that should appeal to fans of middling
adult alternative
groups like
Live
,
Vertical Horizon
, and
Remy Zero
.
Vaughan Rhea
is the band's namesake, frontman, and one of three guitarists. He is joined by brother
Dave Rhea
on bass, drummer
Jeff Irizarry
, and fellow guitarists
Garrett Coleman
and
Todd Hackenburg
. While
Vaughan
seems to have a strong voice, his delivery here is an irritating three-part impersonation of
Eddie Vedder
Ed Kowalczyk
Scott Stapp
. Each lyrical couplet ends with a short, emotive intake of air; most choruses erupt in the throaty, arena-ready bellow
Vedder
bequeathed to
Stapp
. Musically, the band evokes the stilted, tentative
pop
style of
CCM
groups such as
Jars of Clay
. Quasi-spiritual lyrics ("Evil deeds that breed temptation," from the
Pearl Jam
-meets-
songwriting project
"Part of Me"
) don't help matters any. The rousing first single
"Inside Out"
has gained exposure for the band through its inclusion on the
Smallville
soundtrack; there, it is in good company with sound-alikes
Lifehouse
Steadman
is also one of only two songs on
written exclusively by
Rhea
or his band. The majority of the record was co-written by
and producer
Marc Tanner
, who has worked with
the Calling
, another overly dramatic modern
rock
combo with a strikingly derivative sound. Since so many of these groups lack even the relative grit of a band like
Creed
, yet aren't talented enough as players or songwriters to appeal to the more discerning
alternative
music consumer, they are destined to fill the middle spots on soundtracks to romantic comedies, or, in
's case, to programs on
the WB
. ~ Johnny Loftus