Solid rock and catchy hooks fill

State of Whatever's Lifeless

Dallas-based band State of Whatever has a sound reminiscent of the rock resurgence of the early 90s that produced bands like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and Screaming Trees. Their recent release Lifeless showcases that sound, which has a more pure rock feel without the grunge sludge, tinged with a classic rock sensibility that shows most in James Pugh's guitar riffs and the pounding drumwork of George Bridges.

The record opens with "Hopeless," anthemic in its sound and theme of fighting back from impossible odds. The voice of bassist Jonathan Pugh is clear and distinctive, a strength that sets the band apart from many of the cookie-cutter lower-register vocals so prevalent in today's nü rock.

There are a few standard rockers here -- "Token," "Here I Come," -- though several of these stand out from the pack and would do well on modern rock radio, including the driving "Lifeless," the crunchy guitar and harmony-laden "I Digress," and "Far Away" with its arhythmic beat and catchy chorus.

No doubt these are great performances live, getting audiences to at least nod their heads in time to the music.

The songs that caught my ear most, though, were the solid power pop of "The Game" with its heroic melody, guitar solo, and vocal hooks, the mid-tempo "Walking Back to Me," and laid-back strummer "Goodbye."

These last two are distinctly new southern/folkish rock tunes, recalling bands like Sister Hazel, Five Way Friday, and Collapsis. More like this will keep me on the lookout for future releases.

The album also features a bonus track live acoustic studio track "Over and Over," recorded in 1997.

State of Whatever recently performed at the Buzz Oven Battle of the Bands. They are currently touring the state in support of Lifeless. Visit their website at www.stateofwhatever.com.