Unknown Component is the quintessential example of why most one-man bands do not work off the sidewalk. Keith Lynch, an Iowa native, takes on the project solo, and the lacking sound on his upcoming album The Infinite Definitive makes it seem that he should find a few more members. Unknown Component

The Infinitive Definitive

Independently released

Rocks Like: A mixture of Death Cab for Cutie and Real Estate

Grade: C-

Unknown Component is the quintessential example of why most one-man bands often don’t succeed. Keith Lynch, an Iowa native, takes on the project solo, and the lacking sound on his upcoming album The Infinite Definitive makes it seem that he should find a few more members.

In The Infinitive Definitive, released Oct. 12, Lynch tries to make his predictably dull sound original by adding too much musical effect. Despite his efforts, the CD falls short of an exciting tone.

Though a one-man band holds promise for originality, this album doesn’t deliver it. Lynch incorporates a variety of instruments, which could make for more developed music, but his collaborations do not do these instruments any justice. The dragging guitars and drums paired with random bits of piano that sound the same in every song provide little diversity on the album.

Unknown Component fills the 10-track CD with both upbeat and slow songs, but regardless of the tempo, the music is still fraught with the same computer-generated mutilation. Though it’s defined as alternative/punk, The Infinitive Definitive is full of safe melodies with nothing too edgy.

Only adding to the depressing nature of the album is Lynch’s singing: nasally and strained.

His sound is similar to, but less distinguished than, Axl Rose’s gravelly voice. He struggles through his own lyrics, pushing out words that are barely discernible, so that whether or not the lyrics are good, the listener cannot tell.

What Lynch does have going for him are the charming titles of his songs. Songs like “A Heavy Heart or An Empty Stomach” and “Moving Out of Frame” border on cliché, but still add a certain promise to the album.

Lynch’s talent is impressive in the sense that he not only records every instrument by himself, but also because he is a self-taught musician.

His determination to teach himself every instrument he plays shows promise for him in the future.

Unfortunately, this album is not a particularly good example of that promise.