It's been over three years since Trevor McNevan and Steve Augustine of Thousand Foot Krutch started a little side project called FM Static and released a record entitled What Are You Waiting For. The album took a little while to take off, but eventually gained them quite a following in the teen scene. Moms were even into the songs they heard on the radio. Now, that's what I call mainstream appeal.

And three years later, they're finally ready to unveil their sophomore effort. Critically Ashamed follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by being nothing short, and basically nothing more, than a fun, summer record. McNevan is clear, "We write music we think is fun. We just want it to be natural, and with no added pressures of trying to sound like this or that going on around us."

In that aspect, it succeeds. Critically Ashamed is a fun record, yes. But it's also easily forgettable. Perhaps the timing was just better for What Are You Waiting For?, or maybe its just that this one feels a bit more "been there, done that," or perhaps it's a combination of the two. But the point is, it's fun, it's catchy… but it's not their debut.

It's also not without its high points. The powerful "Tonight" was written about McNevan's brother who passed away when they were children, and "A Nice Piece of Art" takes a clever spin on the fact that God makes each of us unique and with a specific purpose. Critically Ashamed may lack a few things, but none of those things are heart.

Fans of What Are You Waiting For? should find a lot to like about this new entry. It's not up to par, but it's not a complete loss either. Take McNeven's advice and just enjoy it for what it is. FM Static still does it better than most others.

- Review date: 7/30/06, written by Josh Taylor