[rating=2.50]
From the opener “Can’t You Hear It Call,” which borrows a riff directly from the Stones’ “Brown Sugar,” merged with a heavy modern flair of The Dandy Warhols, The Colour come off a bit low in originality on their debut – Between Earth and Sky. But where they lack in innovation, the L.A. quintet shines in swagger and energy. With that formulaic mix, their debut might have been better appreciated five years ago; a time when the rock revival thing, courtesy of The Hives, Vines and the Strokes was the “new” sound.
Produced by Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, Tom Waits), the album rolls in rock and roll cliché lyrics and titles: “Devils Got a Holda Me,” “Kill The Lights” and “Black Summer.” But once you get past the track listing, its easy to hear the star of the group is frontman Wyatt Hull, who has a commanding presence, particularly on “Save Yourself” and “Our Children Were the Stars." With their obvious influences (Stones, Doors) glamorized, The Colour are too paint by the numbers to make a dent, but there’s enough of that L.A. rock and roll attitude to warrant a curious listen.
