First things first: Ryan Gosling is not in this band. At least, if he is, he's not listed in the liner notes, which would seem like a pretty big oversight, given how the band's handlers are trying their hardest to position it as the Next Big Thing in alternative rock. You can really tell the band is trying, too: Each song bursts with aplomb, from faux-prophetic title to the anthemic choruses and indie ballads. Unfortunately, none of the songs on Here Is... live up to their own aspirations, instead settling for bland alterna-rock. Think one part Semisonic to two parts Flickerstick and you get the idea.

If Gosling sound familiar, the generic songwriting might not be the only reason. In the late 1990s, Gosling were known as Loudermilk, and they played a harder edged brand of alterna-metal. When that genre fell from favor, the band punted, changing its name and sound with no one the wiser. Except that, well, they aren't any more interesting now. Maybe it's admirable that they're giving it another go, but to go through a transformation like this to end up playing just another derivative style of alternative rock seems like a waste.