Attorneys are one of those young rock groups from New York City just trying to come through on a dream. The trouble is, with just guitar, bass and drums, how exactly are you meant to save rock ‘n’ roll? Lead singer William Ryan George has a slightly theatrical baritone that’s similar to vocalists from Robert Smith on, but something about it fails to hold the listener’s attention. We get the obligatory ballad (“Poppies”), a couple of extra-catchy radio hits (“On A Whim”, “Stay”), and a couple of swirling, ambitious songs (“Madison”, “Not a Bad Way to Spend an Evening”). At its best, as on “Anytime”, the band reminded me of early Weezer, but it’s nowhere near as tight, or as compelling. Perhaps the lyrics are more offensive, and they need some work. “If we ever get back together,” repeated in two different songs, is just one example. The band’s got some genuine enthusiasm, though, which is as well, for if it can substantiate some of these ideas in the live setting, it may emerge with a sound that, if never entirely groundbreaking, is at least pleasantly enjoyable.

• "On a Whim" M3U
• "Open Up" M3U
• "Poppies" M3U
• "Stay" M3U