Dollars to Doughnuts

At first listen, Time Doesn’t Notice, the debut album from No Address, mimics the angry teenage boy rock that peaked in the late 90’s. Their current radio hit, “When I’m Gone (Sadie)” fits that mold. Leading with the generic hook “La dada dada dada dada dada dum dum dum,” the song breaks no boundaries, particularly when what sounds like an Offspring-inspired chorus sprouts. It’s a plastic radio hit, but please keep listening.Time Doesn’t Notice is a surprise success. Masked by the typical raspy voice, standard amped instruments, and square drumming, there lies a hidden musicality that unknowingly suffices. Like many of their songs, “It’s Alright” leads with an electric guitar solo nostalgic of Tom Petty. Seemingly fated, a closer listen will reveal more below the surface, including a near perfect interaction with lead guitar and bass. The slower but still plugged “Lasting Words” features less in the instrumentation and more depth in the lyrics. It’s difficult to decipher whether frontman Ben Lauren is mocking that standard voice heard countlessly on the radio, or if he found that perfect combination of whine, intent, and shout. The rhythmically more complicated “Mother Sunday” features a lighter sound. Although there’s a slight undertone of Christian rock (think Jars of Clay), the lyrics leave no evidence.

No Address can be compared to countless bands, from Something Corporate to Lifehouse (even some Beatles). However, don’t make the mistake of pairing these guys to any one hit wonders with the same narrow sound. It’s not rock science, just five members in a band that found a way to make it work. Damn impressive for a first try.