Neutral Agreement is a West Virginia based band that has only been together since February of 2000. Moderate touring has pitted them with the likes of Relient K, Side Walk Slam, Calibretto 13, Jeremiah's Grotto, Eustace, The Blamed, and others. They have an EP entitled Motorbuggy under their belt and with the help of Russ Fox (Bleach, Seven Day Jesus) and Matt Gingerich (Bleach) they have released Bet You Never Thought...

"Ten Summers" and "Shield Your Eyes" pound out where the band is headed with punk-filled words and melody packed guitars while comparisons to Squad Five-O and the Ramones meet the Rolling Stones abound. "A Love That Can't Be Sold" relaxes things a bit with an addition of piano while "Linda McCartney," one of the highlights, conveys a measured anthemic track that doesn't seem to have anything to do with the Wing's songstress and late wife of the Beatle's Paul McCartney. "The Perfect Plan" and "The First Day of the End of Your Life" bring the punk and the rock back whereas "Five Hours to Elwood" adds a possible live favorite if I ever did hear one. "Victory Song" and a hidden track end in slow worship and acoustic style respectively.

What an impressive debut for these Virginians to the west. Neutral Agreement is flashy glam punk rock without all that weighty glam business. Fans of punk and emo should make a choice to pick this up. Neutral Agreement is Spirit-filled catchy gritty punk pop rock with a melodic exterior. I bet you never thought that Bet You Never Thought… would be a hit as this is one of the big surprises of the year. Let's all be in agreement, that everyone should go pick up Neutral Agreement.

- Review date: 4/7/02, written by Blake Garris