Whereas the band’s former incarnation, Bockman’s Euphio, grounded itself in a uniquely experimental mix of pop rock and jazz jams, this most recent effort feels like another struggling follower of the Coldplay/Travis blueprint.
Aside from the awkwardly electronic/techno groove found in their song “Rad,” the band is heavily reliant on a fragile keyboard-based backbone. While some bands like Snow Patrol and the Fray have developed a guilty pleasure status supported by lilting piano anthems, Bockman’s formula is ultimately incomplete. From a lyrical standpoint, they seem more inclined to let their words stand passively by the music than carry it confidently on their shoulders.
What is most disappointing about Chasing Dragons, however, is that too many times you can’t help but link parts of Bockman’s work to something you’ve already heard. From the percussive piano interlude of “Squirrel View,” bringing to mind the plinking melody of Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know,” to “Live It Out’s” structural similarity to Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die,” Chasing Dragons feels tired and regrettably drags into all-too-familiar territory.
– Mike Hilleary
Bockman (Totoba Records)