Social Code — Social Code

Social Code are yet another virtuous young rock band who've set out to pan for gold down by the ever-flowing river of creativity that is pop-punk. The Edmonton quartet are a bit more aggressive than your average Billy Talent, but they generally keep the yelling to a safe, non-threatening minimum. Their album plays out like a marketing plan, with a catchy opener followed by the "aggressive" rocker, both coming right before the neutered radio ballad that's sure to win them the most customers, er, fans. The band are obviously trying to play both sides of the scream rock scene, but, instead, both their catchy and abrasive tendencies come off as lukewarm. The only thing worse than a cookie-cutter pop-punk band is an MOR screamo band. But who cares what I think? Social Code will undoubtedly score a minor hit, land a support slot on a major tour, then fade into obscurity like so many others before them. Good riddance.