Flying

Some bands, like blink-182, thrive on the challenge of being full-grown, responsible (if somewhat disgusting) adults whose songs willfully enter the adolescent mind. They're good at it, they don't try to be anything more, and fledgling rockers and pop enthusiasts love the crunchy guitars, singalong lyrics, and quick fade-outs. Go Kart Go, a San Francisco-based rock three-piece created in 1997, attempt the same conceit with significantly less success on their third album, Flying. The opening title track is their best attempt, a three-plus minute pop song crammed with breakdowns, dime-turn dynamics, and hard-hitting drums. Then, on songs like "Future X Girlfriend," the beautiful loser lyrics and Goo Goo Dolls-style rough croon of Eric Anderson wear the radio pop sheen thin. His voice is more adult contemporary than angsty teen, ruining the Kevin Army (Green Day) production. Finale "Public Display of Rejection" ties Go Kart Go to the punk canon with self-deprecating lyrics of on-air love expressions to a pop radio DJ. If it didn't seem like a ploy for local radio play, it would fall in with the best of punk's joke/mocking songs.