by James Christopher Monger
The five angst-filled Texans who make up Faktion have concocted a dutiful, immaculately executed debut that sounds like everything else in the alternative metal/emo world of modern rock circa 2006. Tight opening riffs lead to quiet moments of calculated desperation that usually involve finding one's self, losing one's self and breaking up with or meeting girls. Lead singer/lyricist Ryan Gibbs is a more-than-capable vocalist, especially on more upbeat numbers like "Control" and the road trip-ready "Pilot," and the band plays like a single organism, but it's almost impossible not to listen to anything here and picture the opening montage to the next disposable Warner Brothers teen television drama/reality series/Mountain Dew commercial.