Make ‘Em Say ”Ehhhh…”

Blue Background bubbles up out of pop music hotbed Milwaukee, Wisconsin to pose the question, Are You Listening? The answer, for now, is not so much. This young band’s EP isn’t enough to launch them further than the Great Lakes. The album is essentially slightly above average, and like radio pop it grows increasingly catchy with each spin – the same way that dude at the bar gets more attractive with each downed beer. Behavior gets rationalized, but regret will set in by sunrise.

Vocalist and keyboardist Maggie Tielker pulls off both of her roles, and often the keyboard on the album is the freshest aspect to their sound. Drummer Carlyle Nowak keeps the group expertly on pace, with help from bassist Christopher Christen. Sarah Mick provides vocals and guitar, which especially pulls together the last track on the album, oh-so-smartly titled “From The Start.”

Tielker’s voice is alternately pretty or too nasal, varying with any given point of a song. This inconsistency paired with music that’s often plodding leaves more to be desired from the overall product. “You said put some emotion into what you sing/And I try” is a story told on “Anything from Anyone.” Taking that advice would actually serve the band well.

This is the kind of band you find in local all ages clubs across every region of the country. But there’s a reason they rarely break past that ceiling. Blue Background needs more energy, and songs that stand out on first listen. There isn’t one major flaw that makes the album unworthy, but there also isn’t one major draw that will pull listeners to Are You Listening.