Reviewed by Greg Sammons

Well, this was a disappointment. I'd heard good things about this Indianapolis-based band but after giving their debut a couple of spins I'm left distinctly unimpressed. They just seem to sound like an amalgam of rather pale imitations of various other "scene" bands that beat them to the emo-meets-metalcore bandwagon. I can only assume that Ferret signed them as they're very "now" and potentially will sell more records than some of their more experimental bands. Don't get me wrong; Gwen Stacy know how to write the kind of music that'll earn them a support slot along side your Devil Wears Prada or Bless The Fall types, but I wonder who'd pay good money to see them specifically when there are so many better alternatives already out there. Unless this team go in a different musical direction on their next project I doubt many people will continue waiting patiently to see if their undeniable potential produces something notable. Comic book fans will notice that Gwen Stacy was Spiderman's first true love; I doubt her musical namesake will serve the same purpose for many discerning music fans.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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