The reasons for artists exploring certain avenues of creativity are always worth investigating. Brian Huffines and Aaron Hodge started The Radium Screen as a side-gig to their usual haunts of garage/noise bands. The idea according to the promo was to “not include guitar instrumentation whatsoever as a way to promote experimentation and originality.”

Noble sentiments indeed. But unfortunately without inspiration, experimentation and creativity are soon lost as it is with The Radium Screen after about 2 minutes into their 4 track mini-album White Faces.

Compounding this is the overly optimistic description that accompanies the CD. Maybe If I hadn't have read it before listening I would haven't been so disappointed. I was promised “likeable, catchy beats (that) will have you dancing in your chair at first listen.” I can attest that my butt remained firmly seated and my toes tapless on first listen. Even a few listens later there was no indication that any of my body parts would be doing any chair dancing. Standing up didn't help either.

The production is part of the problem. It is generally lifeless and the vocals are buried and hard to understand. I may be old fashioned but I do like to be able to the understand the lyrics. Even if cryptic I can at least put my own interpretation. And the vocals are delivered in such a deadpan way that interest is soon lost in even caring about the words.

Dirty Blonde is the only song that (barely) seems to escape the shackles of muddy production and lack of ideas. Two ever so slightly offset rhythm patters are placed on top of each other and pulled together by an almost funky bassline. But the vocals are murky and again I have no idea of any of the lyrics. And the buzz saw noise that pops up here and there had me at first looking for the neighbour who was disturbing my Saturday afternoon listening with home renovations.

The other three songs Amen, She Stands and Blood Song just pass by running into each other leaving no trace of anything distinctive and lasting. Simply a bland album that fails to deliver in any aspect of being compelling or interesting. And just forget about it being danceable.

The Radium Screen aren't bad. With some ideas and a bit more passion they may have something. For the moment they are just simply bland which maybe is a greater sin. But there is redemption from blandness and maybe that will come in the future. But for now White Faces tends towards a hazy shade of unfulfilling grey.