In this musical era where lip-syncing, generic computerized beats, and auto-tuning can get just about anyone to the top of the charts, it’s always refreshing to hear a new band break out who distances itself from the absurdity of mainstream music. Radio Empire does just that with their new album, Wishing Well, blending the familiar sounds of power-pop and punk rock, all while harnessing the increasingly rare beauty of actually being made up of talented musicians (*gasp* real instruments!).

Led by frontman Tyler James, one might be inclined to cite Fall Out Boy and Dashboard Confessional as influences to the Erie, Pennsylvania band – and while these comparisons may hold some weight, with Wishing Well, the band (much due to James’s unique vocals and their self-aware, lets-have-fun attitude towards music) succeeds at molding their own distinct and varied sound, be it the head-banging “Forgive, Never Forget,” the solely acoustic “Baby Doll,” or the anthem-worthy album-closer “For the Record Pt. II.” With heavy lines by bassist T-Woody and energetic drumming by Jess Scutella that’d make Dave Grohl proud, the album is an eclectic and fun mix of catchy tunes.

Wishing Well is light enough to play in the morning, it rocks hard enough to jam out to in concert, and for those who prefer to reflect on music in solitude, the lyrics are well-written, relatable to any young person, and brutally honest with issues ranging from life in a band, to girls, to religion, love, memories, and moving on. This is an exciting new album and I definitely look forward to hearing more from Radio Empire. If I were a betting man, I’d wager that it’s only a matter of time before these guys are signed and on the road to even more success.

Title Single

Tracklist:
01. For The Record pt. I
02. Wishing Well
03. Girls from the Show
04. Thousand Other Chances
05. Baby Doll
06. Forgive, Never Forget
07. Memories
08. Dress to Impress
09. Self Medicating
10. For the Record pt. II

Connect with Radio Empire
Radio Empire’s Official MySpace
Radio Empire’s Official Facebook Page
Radio Empire’s YouTube
Radio Empire’s last.fm Page
Radio Empire’s Pure Volume Page

Buy Radio Empire’s Wishing Well
iTunes
Amazon