At A Loss - A Falling Away From [CD]

At A Loss offer up energetic emo-ish punk-pop on their Blackout Records debut "A Falling Away From". At a Loss weave many different styles throughout the record: punk, emo, even metal, but seem to always make their way back to the pop and emo sensibilities that work for them. "A Falling Away From" never loses its energy and earnestness, but wanders a tad in its length and emotional agenda. All the musicians demonstrate their skill in the hot Sabbath-like slow licks of "In the Aftermath" and "Closing Yours" and the fast metal-punk riffs of "Look Away" and "Retract Your Wings," never getting too pompous on the thick axes or too showy on the hammering drums. At A Loss shine when they break out the half-time chumpdowns in the midst of the fast buildups, allowing a release just when you need it.