Lakota "Hope For the Haunted" (Pop Up)
By
Thursday. Sep 22, 12:02 AM
If not for the vocals...

As a fan of early ‘90s “alternative rock,” I was immediately taken with the music of this album, with its strong hints of Sugar, Superchunk, and at times Local H. If only the vocals had the same kick! Don’t get me wrong, vocalist Kayne Konency has a pleasant voice… and that’s my main complaint. His vocals never reach that point needed to bring the album past the “okay” category. On songs such as “Video You” and “Make/Break,” his melodies fall into the same “proto-emo” (ugh) pattern that bands like Hawthorne Heights and Dashboard Confessional have taken to the proverbial bank; Konency’s vocals’ saving grace are their strong resemblance to Bob Mould (never a bad thing, in my opinion).

According to the band’s bio, they’ve sold quite a few records independently prior to signing to current label, Pop Up (run by members of Further Seems Forever). And if the musical pendulum remains swung in its current direction, I can see these guys giving the aforementioned Hawthorne Heights and Vendetta Red a run for their money. As for me, I’m afraid Hope For the Haunted will be relegated to the “okay pile”, which is too damn bad.
www.lakotarock.com
www.popuprecords.com

Denis Buckley

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