ROCKSTOP...your source for pop and modern rock CD reviews: OFF BY ONE

DAVE'S TAKE:

Today I bring you yet another defunct band by the name of Off by One who released only one album, their self titled debut, in 2002. Lyrically you get about what you would expect from a band whose members were still in high school at the time. However that doesn't take away from their interesting yet derivative pop-punk sound. The songs are very fast tempoed including the awesome cover of Natalie Imbrulgia's "Torn." The CD is almost worth purchasing just for that song. Again, nothing too deep lyrically from this San Diego bnd but they have some very cool guitar work if you just sit back and enjoy the songs. No cheesy emo ballads on this record just very fast melodic power chord pop-punk rock in the vein of another Sand Diego punk band Blink 182. Think Blink182's Chesire Cat meets Sum 41's Half Hour of Power and the mixture would be about what you get on this album with the longest song clocking in at 3:39.

SOUNDS LIKE: Blink 182, Sum 41, Sugarcult, Fall out Boy

RATING: 7/10

BAND BIO/REVIEW: "After countless nights of little sleep and constant analysis, I have come to only one rational conclusion about today’s punk scene. Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but I have decided that there must be something in the water of San Diego, California that causes awesome punk-powered rockers to catapult their way into the spotlight. Don’t believe me? Well, if you’re skeptical, research a bit on bands like Blink-182, Unwritten Law, or Nothing to Lose. They all hail from this city of catchy hooks and intricate power chords. One of the summer’s latest pop-punk albums comes from a band named Off By One, who also are (yes, you guessed it) San Diego natives. With a very talented Mark Gould (Guitar/Lead Vocals) as their frontman, Jon Bishop on lead guitar, Jordan Brownwood on bass, and Trevor Easter on drums, one will learn very quickly that this band has a lot to offer, especially in putting together a great show. I recently had the opportunity to see this band play live in Virginia Beach, VA on the Warped Tour, and I was so impressed by not only the band’s performance, but just the guys themselves. They all seemed very genuine, and you could tell they were all about having a good time. The crowd was happy, rocking out to what turned out to be a hugely successful set.

Their self-titled debut, which just came out August 6, 2002, is quite possibly one of my favorites this summer. Tracks like “On My Way,” “Been Alone,” and “Déjà vu” all are instantly worthy of humming at work and in the car. In “Déjà vu,” (a song that also has a promotional video) my favorite element is how the song goes from steady rock into a scattered rap solo where Mark just lets loose on the microphone. We all know rap/rock is not a new concept, but the way the band put this track together is pretty ingenious. Besides having great melodies, catchy guitar riffs, and awesome drumming, Off By One’s self-titled album also presents the listener with a new and re-vamped punk version of “Torn,” a huge radio hit by Natalie Imbruglia back in 1998. Mark Gould has said, “My parents had me playing music by age three.” Well, this helps explain why Off By One succeeded in creating a great debut record that hits stores just in time for all that back to school…studying. Off By One is finishing up Warped Tour this year on the Drive-Thru Records stage with their fellow punk friends. If you have the chance, check them out! -John Murnane"

BEST SONGS: Cinderalla, Been Alone, Untouchable, Deja Vu, Punk Rock Girl, Mr. Universe, Torn

SONG SAMPLES: (CLICK ON STANDALONE PLAYER TO LAUNCH MYSPACE PLAYER WHEN LINKS BECOME INACTIVE) TWO DIFFERENT MYSPACE LINKS FOR OFF BY ONE.