Electronic rock is making a comeback of sorts, and Ready Fire Aim is surely hoping that they can catch the crest of that synthesizer wave to celebrity and success. However, while bands like Does It Offend You, Yeah?, MGMT, and the Klaxons are taking the classic synth-pop sound of the ‘80s and infusing it with everything from intelligent dance music, rave-inspired techno and even punk rock, Ready Fire Aim seems content to play it safe and emulate the stars of the past, with predictably boring results. “Wannabe You,” “Welcome Home,” and just about every track on their debut CD features programmed beats lifted straight from the garbage bin of the Violator sessions, and is full of second-rate retreads of something that’s already been done a thousand times over. Most importantly, lead singer Sage Rader’s (if that’s stage name, he’s an asshole, and if that’s his birth name, then his parents are pricks) bland whisper of a voice is obviously trying to come off as sexy, but instead is just incredibly annoying. Some advice for all you kids with computers and a mixing board: If you want to rip off Depeche Mode, or any of the other great electronic acts of the ‘80s, remember that while they often didn’t have any instruments aside from a drum machine and a high-end Casio, they usually did manage to find someone that could sing. This Changes Nothing is instantly forgettable. Talk about a descriptive album title. (LABEL: Expansion Team 2008)
