Wideawake

Something That We Can’t Let Go (Artist Garage)

“Can I rise above the pain?” groans Scott Leger in opening Wideawake’s third LP with “Higher,” before beckoning, “This mystery of love take me higher.” As trite as the emo-tinged uplift of the lyrics may be, they’re made more palatable by the undeniable studio polish of the Austin quartet’s crescendoing pop-rock. Yet while songs such as “Gravity Won’t Win” aim for the epic grandeur of U2, the group often gets lost in the Fray or Blue October or Matchbox Twenty or any number of other formulaic bands that have dominated alt-rock radio over the past decade. The overearnest plea of “Stay,” lost pining of “Land of Opportunity,” and group hug on “Fall Together” all lead up predictably to the anthemic declaration of “We all need something bigger than ourselves” (“Bigger Than Ourselves”). True, but bigger doesn’t necessarily equal better.

*.5

This article appears in March 13 • 2009.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.