Truth Is...

On its debut full-length CD, Sacramento quintet Ten After Two affects a heavy metal/pop-punk hybrid that extends to the alternating vocals, some in a metal howl, others in a whiney punk singing manner, as drummer Vincent Adorno pummels his double-bass drums and the guitars crunch against each other. The sound is like a battle of the bands between Mudvayne and Jimmy Eat World, if both groups were on-stage at the same time. Whether howled or sung, the vocals express the usual sense of romantic disappointment and recrimination. The opening line of the first song, "Yes," is "It's all a lie," and the rest of the words — to the extent they can be made out — follow on from that sentiment. Ten After Two exhibits considerable energy in its playing, and even throws in the occasional variation, such as the slow piano-ballad arrangement that begins the closing track, "Believe Me." But for the most part, this is standard-issue material of its kind.