Mind the Gap\nThe Rumors\near X-tacy Records\nThe name of the band and the album might sound British, but the Rumors actually sound a lot like a combination of the Gin Blossoms, John Mellencamp and a little country. It's clear that this band is made up of friends, but at the same time nothing comes out sloppy or loose. Mind the Gap is more of straightforward Midwestern pop-rock album. But just because their songs are simple and extremely radio friendly doesn't mean they're not any good. As a matter of fact, there's something good about every song on the album. It's just a little repetitive, you know redundant, like I said…\nThe 12 songs from Mind the Gap rarely stray from hook-filled moderate rockers such as London Town and Brace Yourself, but the other tunes are often as good. The finger-picked acoustic track, "No One Answers," is full of Eagles-style harmony, vocals and a flute solo that shouldn't work but does. Singer/guitarist Rob Marlin's Toad the Wet Sprocket influences shine through on his casual vocals. And the occasional banjos and mandolin parts add to the country flavoring.\nThough most of the individual mid-tempo rockers seem to blend together, there's no doubt that at least one of the melodies will get stuck in your head by the end of the disc. Marlin's writing has more reflection than attitude, and the rest of the band compliments his vocal hooks with a few catchy riffs and stops of their own. The lyrics are solid on most of the songs, but not always memorable. \nIt seems a little unfair to call them a pop band when you consider the associations, but Mind the Gap is a catchy album. That and the word "gap" in the title make it pop. The strong melodies and tasteful musicianship make it worth buying. As a matter of fact, if this album had been released in the mid-'90s we could have heard this on the radio every hour. We could have heard good pop like this and been spared hearing the Rembrandts over and over again.\n
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