Let Me Run – Broken Strings

At this point, New Jersey’s Let Me Run is like that kid in your high school math class who is on his fifth tutor, goes to daily sessions, but continues to max out around the high C‘s.  Likewise, Let Me Run is now on their second vocalist, but the punk rock four piece still feels as if they’re searching for that elusive defining quality.

But much like that kid, it’s not for a lack of trying.  Their latest EP, Broken Strings, has a lot of heart backing it.  With choruses reaching skyward, guitars as sharp as a tack, and a backdrop of harmonizing gang vocals, each track strives for the title of memorable mid tempo hit.  The closest they get is on “Thank You My Dear,” one of the slowest of the bunch, which they use to their benefit by generating a stark contrast between their biggest chorus and most communicative verses.  Vocalist Dan Maxwell sounds as if truly pained by a sudden departure, achieving mature and believable emotions.  This is when Let Me Run shines.

Unfortunately, during the rest of Broken Strings, the pieces seldom align with such precision.  Opener “Brocomotive” middles around in a competent but unremarkable combination of mid western rock meets punk for a sound that feels like a dilute rendition of The Loved Ones, and “Catch When you Fall” sports a chorus that by all accounts should hit a homerun, but note after note falls short of becoming anything worth cheering on.  And herein lies my biggest hurdle: Let Me Run offers a batch of six songs that I want to like, and almost do like, but can never embrace without that little nagging part of me, constantly tacking an addendum to every positive thought.

Listening to Broken Strings is like drinking a watered down glass of Kool Aid.  There’s a hint of that classic, age-old taste, but there isn’t enough of what should be there to come across as a drink of choice. Let Me Run might base itself around a familiar sound, and is on the cusp of something big, but never quite reaches the benchmarks it brings to mind.  So it pains me to say this, but Broken Strings is good for a couple of spins, but struggles at being anything more.

To top it off, Maxwell recently parted ways with the band, so it looks like the boys agree that they’re still looking for that elusive sweet spot.  That being said, I admire their persistence, and I’m looking forward to hearing their next attempt.  Third time’s a charm?