Home?

Home? marks one noticeable step ahead for -123 Min. The group's first two albums stacked American influences one on top of the other. Here listeners find a group sound, solid and distinct. If the musicians have decided to hide their Czech nationality in order to reach the level of international rock, they succeeded. The focal point of all the songs is the voice of Zdenek Bína, warm and charming, with a swanky pop side that will make teenage girls melt. The music allies the charm of pop, the eagerness of rock, and the groove of light funk with a moodier touch of soul-blues. Arrangements are kept simple but slick — think Dave Matthews Band meets early Pearl Jam under Brian Auger's supervision. Bína's guitar work has grown a few interesting quirks that strengthen the songs' appeal. There are still some weaknesses in the lyrics department, like overbeaten subjects and unusual syntax — the only element blowing the group's Anglo-American cover. Highlights include the catchy "Lethal Lullaby," the rocker "Teen Love Wreck Doll," and the beautiful "Seeing My Face," a Brazilian rhythm backing Fender Rhodes piano, acoustic guitar, and the strongest melody on this platter. There are only a couple of weak songs, usually because they stumble upon self-indulgence (the closing torcher "While the World Spins Around"). If the group keeps getting better from album to album as it has thus far, the pop industry outside the Czech Republic will eventually have to notice. ~ François Couture, Rovi