| Print |

Written by Josh Schobert Friday, 25 April 2008 02:29

Toby the Fugitive sounds like a post-hardcore band, a hybrid between hardcore punk and alternative rock.

Toby the Fugitive put their big boy pants on with Prixima Distort; the problem is the pants are too big. These teenagers from Clarksville, Tenn., still have a lot of progress to make if they plan to continue in their musical career.

Casey Carstens's vocals are strong but don't have much range. In all the songs, the vocals top out at a certain level, which leave something to be desired. Each song seems to be a continuation of the last because the vocals have the same range. The screams that are let out on "X Marks the Spot" are a bit weak and break very soon. The voice is unique, but Carsten hasn't quite figured out how to make the voice stand out.

The band's guitarists try to layer in deep riffs with a bombardment of drums. There are times when one guitar will stand out while vocals drone in the background and those are the best moments for the guitar riffs, but when a song starts to get intense the guitars get a bit sloppy and need to be tightened up.

Overall, Toby the Fugitive sounds like a post-hardcore band, a hybrid between hardcore punk and alternative rock. Take the track "Repetition": it starts off fast and in your face, then breaks down to a slow, almost late '90s alternative rock vibe.

The lyrical content seems to reflect the age of the band; it's full of teenage angst and adolescence. The album doesn't give a feel of reflection, but more in the time and moment. The first track "Lab Rat" boasts, "It's too late, I'm wasted," while "X Marks the Spot" raves, "Show me yours and I'll show you mine," thus illustrating my point.

The track that stood out the most is the title track, which is entirely instrumental. This is the one that hints at Toby the Fugitive's potential to really produce a sound song. Closing track "Demi Moore," an acoustic slow song, simply doesn't fit the vibe; plus, the vocals are not strong enough for a song that is just guitar and voice.

Proxima Distort is a good start for Toby the Fugitive, but it still feels like it's too immature. They feel like the type of band you would pay five dollars to see with seven other bands at the local VFW. Until they can stand out, that is where they might continue to play. C- | Josh Schobert

RIYL: Glassjaw, Thrice, The Black Maria