Rooster - Circles and Satellites

Normally a band's influences should provide sufficient fuel to power them on a new trajectory: with Rooster this oomph has merely produced inferior copies. They are quasi Creed, slightly Lifehouse and a little (but not enough) Pearl Jam. New single Good to be Here trots through the motions without being exceptional or inept. Vocalist Nick Atkinson donates an immediate and energetic strut to tracks, but would sound more credible singing lyrics other than "sometimes we all feel broken and we need a place to hide." Slightly more credible than Busted, 'Circles and Satellites' is consistent, but too generic to have any real highlights. Even the song titles are bland and a lack of deviation from their plucky tempo renders their songs instantly forgettable. The LA production attempts to lend a saccharine sheen to their melodies, but as the old adage goes, you can't polish a turd. [Michael Duffy]