Out of California comes San Diego's own Noise Ratchet. A five-piece set that recently inked a deal with The Militia Group, they have released two independent projects and gained great acclaim for their stellar live show. Till We Have Faces is their much-awaited studio debut.

Noise Ratchet definitely delivers with this introduction. Much variation of emo with a little taste of something unusual is what you'll find in Till We Have Faces. Highlights include the spacey, catchy "Game Over," the tight drum licks and screams on "Disappear," "End" which starts with only a guitar and a motion picture projector, and "My Day" bringing pure emo. Don't forget the lyrical imagery in tracks such as "Vanity," "The Train," "Wardrobe," and the title tune "Till We Have Faces." Harmonious to the image of Jesus, the band knows how to write Spirit-filled mainstream friendly melodies. Also, it's almost scary how lead singer Joel Holsen sounds of Brandon Boyd in Incubus.

When independence and radio friendliness collide, you have Noise Ratchet; where most try but few can ever equal this label. It may not be this release, but I unquestionably see Noise Ratchet on radio and television alike. Fans of old Jimmy Eat World, a mellower Thursday, and Incubus should pick this up right now. The great white hype turns out to be one of the only hopes for the future of potential quality music. Pick up Noise Ratchet's Till We Have Faces, now, so you can have a seat on the bandwagon before there was a bandwagon.

- Review date: 5/2/02, written by Blake Garris