After one EP and a single released through iTunes, Baltimore, Maryland pop rock artist Corrin Campbell & the Election are here with their first full length album, Game Night. Campbell and her band put a lot of emphasis on pop rock, with nearly all of Game Night having that familiar sound. It's pretty upbeat, with songs like "Find Your Way" and "Always Be" leading the pack. They do slow down for some songs as well, like the near-pop country sound of "Bounce" and their cover of OneRepublic's hit "Apologize." The musicians seem to know what they're doing, and they play really well together, which is more apparent when they're playing a rockier sound than when they're keeping it slow. "Sunbeam" is a highlight of the album, with somewhat of a dark punk riff chugging its way through the verses (it sounds cool, but it does remind the listener that this is an independently-produced album, and the production does lack quite a bit). The part of Game Night I had the hardest time with was Campbell's voice, which is along the lines of the vocalists of rock bands in the 80s. Her voice definitely sounds good when given the right sound, but as most of the album is pop rock (with only hints of 80s rock here and there), it usually sounds mismatched. It does work in "Blink of an Eye," which reminds one of chick rock bands like The Donnas and Halo Friendlies, and in the aforementioned "Sunbeam." But it's a little hard on the ears at times, especially in slower tracks (Campbell really strains in the chorus of "Apologize"). Any of the problems with Game Night are things that can easily be improved with a little more time and some better production values, so I expect good things from the band. If you're into bands like BarlowGirl or 80s bands like Heart, you may like Corrin Campbell & the Election.

- Review date: 12/3/10, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com