First Round Failure is a band with local ties. Matt McGrath (guitar and vocals) is a Rockford resident. The rest of the band hails from the Chicago suburbs, but as you might guess they are frequently featured on Rockford stages. They released this, their first CD in October and it provides a fine example of the group's blend of emo and pop into a sound that is all their own - but still maintains an air of familiarity.

While I have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of emo (kind of feels like when you strip all the anger out of old-school punk, what's left? - and I loved old-school punk), these guys (McGrath along with Shaun Malott, Tim Mackin and Phil Kondos) have an adequately creative approach and enough talent to make it work. There is enough variety to keep the disc from blending into one giant sludge of sound.

Listening to this CD you'll certainly think of a number of other bands in the same genre. Honestly, this musical style doesn't have that much room for originality, but these guys still do a good job of creating something that is all them. Fans of emo should love this, but even if you aren't big on the genre, you might want to give it a shot. My guess is you'll find yourself singing along - and you'll be supporting a local talent.