Inward Eye — Throwing Bricks Instead Of Kisses

Throwing Bricks Instead Of Kisses

RCA/Sony

Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

08/25/2009 2:53pm

There's been a long-running joke about whether Inward Eye, who were signed to J Records three years ago, would ever release an album. Now they have, and the brothers Erickson's long-awaited full-length debut was mostly worth the wait.

With its Arnold Lanni (Our Lady Peace) production (three tracks were also produced by Howard Benson), Throwing Bricks Instead Of Kisses sounds like the music of Britain in the late '60s and '70s mixed with a tiny dash of Can-rock circa 1996.

While Inward Eye's British influences are far more apparent, there are moments when Dave Erickson's voice veers a little too close to Raine Maida territory — particularly on "Blind Paranoia" and "Don't Paint It Blue" — but for the most part the songs on this album are what it would sound like if you crossed The Who (for whom they've opened) with The Clash and gave their members new sets of teeth.

Yet there are times when Throwing Bricks Instead Of Kisses suffers from Lanni's overproduction. "Shame" is catchy, but would work better if it were far more raw. "Liar" is the most overtly radio rock-oriented track, and while it's strong it does resemble Clumsy-era Our Lady Peace too much.

Throwing Bricks Instead Of Kisses will hopefully see Inward Eye break out as they truly deserve, but it would have been much better if the gritty near punkishness of the band's live show was able to translate on disc.

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