The debut EP from Maine hard rock band the Killing Moon, A Message Through Your Teeth, is quite an odd album to accurately interpret and describe. There is a huge conflict between the bland & stale and the more innovative & incredibly impressive aspects of the album. The album features five songs that, though repetitive, do show promise in the band to be something more than the next flash-in-the-pan modern rock act.

Originally starting out as a ska group several years ago, the Killing Moon has since changed their style, fitting into more contemporary rock, though infusing minor shots of their past style into their current songs. It’s when they whip out a surprisingly tight horn section in songs like “Subject A” and “A Book of Love Stories” that the Killing Moon inspires multiple listens. The latter song also features extremely impressive guitar work in the opening minute of the track proving that the band does contain some talent to reckon with.

However, the problem seems to be that the band’s above average talent gets buried underneath very generic songs. It’s a wonder that with such apparent talent that the band wasn’t able to craft some more original pieces. Too often does the band seem to try and pull off hard rock tricks in order to fit some sort of necessary radio rock quota, screaming when there isn’t a need and thrashing guitars when it seems inappropriate.

While this album isn’t terrible, it also doesn’t include enough variety to maintain a listener’s attention. There are definite hints of a formidable talent here that seem to be expressed only when the band uses their ska roots to guide the music. For their next album they will need to decide if sticking with their easily accessible clunky rock structure is worth sacrificing the underlying talents they possess.