Sink

Review by Kevin Templeton

It's increasingly hard to remain optimistic when it comes to modern rock these days. Let's face it: the state of today's format-inclined scene is numbingly oversaturated with bands competing for the same ticket to ride, leaving ingenuity and inventiveness as spent and worn-out conventions from the past. Market testing might indicate that we all dig a steady diet of the Matthew Good Band or Nickelback, but I beg to differ.

Elycium aren't about to break through the proverbial rock/log jam just yet, but with a slight shift to the left they might just avoid the rest of the tired pack. Led by singer/guitarist Alec Roque's soothing and emotional vocals, Sink takes the listener out on a drive through the countryside, complete with blistering hot sun, swishing cow tails and the car stereo blasting "Simple Thoughts," "Recollection" or "Three For."

If you're thinking Vs.-era Pearl Jam or the first Blind Melon record, you might not be far off, as Sink shares the same sort of liberated appeal. After awhile, though, you get a little antsy, as your stomach starts to growl during "Day Alone" or "Liar," but then "Unleashed" faithfully kicks in a dose of chugging reality at trip's end.

Despite the safe, passive "restraints" of 90's rock, Sink does anything but, and for that alone Elycium should be commended.

Artist Contact Info: Box 265, #101 - 1001 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6H 4B1, elycium@lightspeed.bc.ca