Duality

Personnel: Cody Carson (vocals); Zack Dewall, Dan Clermont (guitar); Amy Cuadra (piano); Maxx Danziger (drums); Brandon Paddock, Tommy English (programming).
Recording information: Pot O Gold Studios; Studio America, Los Angeles, CA; Trojan House, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Chris Martin .
Arrangers: Brandon Paddock; Tommy English .
Reaping all the bitter benefits the pop-punk genre has to offer, Tampa's Set It Off are masters of mixing the sweet and the sour, offering up melodies mom and dad can hang with while vocalist Cody Carson hides the blade behind his back. Waltzing into the room before blowing up with barre chords blazing, "The Haunting" is an elaborate My Chemical Romance-styled kiss-off where Carson turns the page with a vengeance, while "Bleak December" bounces like Justin Timberlake during its verses, and then brings scary back with its attack mode lyrics. Devilish and delicious, the album can be precious to a fault, as following all the Queen-sized arrangements and all the Adam Lambert-esque sass isn't an everyday thing for most. Marvel at Duality's mischievousness now and then, or submit in full if black nail polish and glitter are always on the shopping list. ~ David Jeffries