Railer isn't a part of some burgeoning hipster scene and they've yet to align themselves with the radio powers that be, but they should have no problem finding a place in the sterilized popular sphere of consciousness. Everything about Frame of Mind has the distinct odor of calculation and the flavor of a tasteless microwavable dinner. The album isn't bad, mind you -- it's just another real life illustration of the nothing ventured/nothing gained concept. Railer is basically what passed for "modern rock" a few years ago, before Creed and Nickelback ushered in the millionth wave of warmed-over grunge. The grinding guitars are relegated to the background in favor of studio "ambiance" by way of assorted synth noises. Points of reference include Garbage, Depeche Mode's "comeback" material and the crappy "experimental" songs from the last two Smashing Pumpkins albums, although Railer is by no means a xerox of any of these bands.

Frame of Mind's construction and outcome are pretty typical. The hooks may not register until a few spins, but trust me, they're there, and these songs will live or die by them. One notable departure from the other nine songs is "Crossing The Line", in which the band takes a stab at a bratty pop chorus and emerges with the album's most infectious track. Unfortunately, the thin guitar tone robs this and every other song of urgency and bite. With a little more risk-taking, Railer could eventually rise above the horde of bland rock bands they now compare to.