Tom “Chitty” Keiger – vocals, guitar

“Okie” Okamoto – keyboard, backup vocals

Jose Lopez – guitar, backup vocals

Jarrett Seltzer – bass

Joshua Grigsby – drums

            Houston Calls is a power pop/punk band, based in Rockaway, New Jersey. They formed back in 2003 shortly after most of the band members left another band to do a more modern brand of music. After a couple of EP’s and a few member changes the band settled in and began writing for their sophomore album The End of an Error. The album was released in October of ’08. It begins with the track posted on their myspace page as a demo early in ’08. The up tempo track gets the blood pumping and the head bouncing right off the bat. The song is easy to follow with its super catchy lyrics such as “I’m in a hole with four friendly pigeons. We’ll fly away from public opinion.” “Life Won’t Wait” begins with a flare of soaring guitars and drums. The vocals enter with a soft touch then step it up during the chorus. “A Shot in the Dark” has more of a serious sound to it. It then speeds up and lightens up a bit. It’s a very catchy tune that is an easy sing-a-long for fans. “Stay With Me Tonight” introduces the new sound to the album, a piano. A slow and passionate Ballard pursues it. The track is a definite open you cell phone, light your lighters song. “I Fancy Aboard” picks the pace back up a bit. It begins with vocals display with distant guitars. It does pick up even more as the song continues and the riffs throughout the track will catch your attention. The shortest track of the album could very well be the catchiest of it too. “Nagoya” begins the second half of the album with a bang. A track that should be a hit with the fans includes catchy vocals, guitars and drums as well as a little piano play. “Abandone” begins with a heavy bass line that quickly as in some high guitars. It provides a bit of a party type track that will be amazing live. The fans will be able to get into the track which will let the band feed off that energy. “You Can’t Simi” is another up beat track that features multiple layers of vocals and a high presents of keys by Okie as “The Oaks On Prince St.” span 23 minutes with guitar picking and a low but powerful set of vocals. The band also tries their hand at multiple vocals at the same time. There is one other thing that makes the track sound really dramatic, which is a hazy effect that over shadows almost the entire track. If you sit and wait for a few minutes there is a little extra for the fans. Overall the album has a few really great tracks that one could listen to many many times with the same enthusiasm as you did the first few times you heard it. The rest of the album needs to grow on you. There are a few hidden gems on the album and a few that just fill up some space. The band is very catch on the album and that’s a must, so that they can stand out and grab a hold of fans.    

Rating: 7 out of 10

My favorite tracks:

Modest Manifesto, Nagoya, Abandone

Track List:

1.      Modest Manifesto

2.      Life Won't Wait

3.      A Shot in the Dark

4.      Things Are Happening

5.      Stay With Me Tonight

6.      I Fancy Abroad

7.      Nagoya

8.      Behind the Gun

9.      Abandone

10.  You Can't Simi

11.  The Oaks on Prince St.

12.  Dork Thinks He's Gonna Drown

Website (s): www.myspace.com/houstoncalls, www.drivethrurecords.com