Places for Breathing

The members of Revis are as hungry as Creed and Nickelback, but confident enough to work without radio-tailored psychobabble for their first album. Places for Breathing is a post-alternative mix of explosive guitar riffs and riotous percussion, a strong musical disposition from this Midwestern five-piece. Producer Don Gilmore, who engineered Pearl Jam's debut masterpiece, Ten, focuses on Justin Holman's fierce vocal style. Revis' powerful musicianship is tightly woven around that; however, Revis doesn't have much of a chance to stand apart from the alt-metal pack. From the crunchy album opener, "Caught in the Rain," to "Spin"'s aggressive atmosphere, Revis delivers a catchier melody but falls slightly short in being unique. Throw in a few acoustic-based ballads ("Seven," "Living Rooms") to please the pop kids in the process and you're safe. For a band whose members are barely in their twenties, Revis does show some promise on Places for Breathing. The band cannot thrive on West Coast ideals like most of its counterparts, so naturally its sound will have a different tone -- and that will work for Revis in the long run as long as the group doesn't overcompensate in song and craft.