High Tech, Low Life

Exploding onto the aural scene with a metal aggression worthy of heavy hair bands of the '80s, the clean-cut conglomerated quartet known as tonystark assembled both a following and a collection of driving, well-handled rock. Unfortunately, on most of this debut EP, the young band's rush to record is evident, as little originality or deep thought is displayed. Instead, High Tech, Low Life includes six driving but derivative rockers set off by occasionally well-placed melodic lines. Most of the lyrics are repetitive and not too meaningful, if at all comprehensible; e.g., "Candy" is concerned with "piece (sic) of mind" and "springboard mountain climbing." As for the arrangements, there are pieces from Tool's box, some numbers from 311, and even a taste of Buckethead's secret recipes. The high points of the EP are the relaxed moments, as on "What You Are," which allow the band's writing and compositional skills to reveal themselves instead of being trampled by a barrage of strings and drums. Unfortunately, breaks in the musical melee are few and quite far between, and most of High Tech, Low Life -- like tonystark itself -- appears to be formed from the creative remnants of other bands.