The Authors

Get Haunted (WRKR)

The debut full-length from this Austin foursome starts off promising enough. Opener “Timebomb” has single written all over it, but the rest of Get Haunted never catches up. There’s a wealth of dance-punk ideas and influences, but no real theme tying it together, besides 1980s worship. “Feels Like Running” evokes headbands and fist-pumping, “Never Know” is a John Hughes wet dream, and on “Battles,” singer Justin Prater does his best gauzy falsetto. They’ve got an ease with hooks and a radio-ready sheen, but there’s no real diversion from jangly guitars, thick basslines, and Prater’s dramatic yelps. Survey Britain between 1977-1982 for better execution of the same. Ultimately, “Timebomb” remains the best track, and where the Authors need to start adding.

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This article appears in December 24 • 2010.

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