Rookie

Item: When it All Goes Down
Author: Dave Kerschbaum

When it All Goes Down

(2003)

Reviewed by Dave Kerschbaum

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Label independentThe Phantom Tollbooth2003

pop punk ska punk

At first listen, aptly named Rookie seems to be another young pop punk product of Southern California, armed with newly acquired drivers licenses and fed steady diets of TRL, Tony Hawk, and Mountain Dew Code Red. Like many of its peers, Rookie is quite good at creating bouncy, catchy hooks and warm melodies to complement its frenetic guitar solos and punk rawk vocals. Unlike many of their peers, the lads from Rookie hail from Columbus, Ohio, not so much known for its surf spots as its smash-mouth, Big Ten football tradition in Ohio State University.

When it All Goes Down is the first offering from this young Buckeye band with a promising future in front of it. On this debut disc, Rookie has found a comfortable formula and has honed it well. Much of what is on the disc sounds familiar, and there are several radio friendly songs here ("Sick of Me," "Sometimes I'm Wrong," "Too Late"). Although Doug Krietzer's vocals are obviously influenced by an entire generation of third-wave ska bands and pop punk outfits, he seldom wields his voice like a weapon, and instead allows it to fit in easily with the rest of the instruments. Tommy Cappel's guitar solos at times recall Stryper's Oz Fox.

There's nothing ground-breaking here, but When it All Goes Down is a solid first effort from the Midwest's newest punk darlings. With licensing deals already inked to a reality television show and influential radio stations taking notice, it may not be long before these newbies feel like veterans.

2.5 tocks