Sinner plays traditional metal, and Crash & Burn is melodic and groovy. Every song has a big singalong chorus and memorable melodies, but there's also enough grit and edge to take off the glossy sheen, at least on most tracks.
The album has a good variety of tempos and intensities. The band seems most comfortable with mid paced songs with plenty of guitar solos. The best tracks are ones like "Fist To Face," where Sinner speeds things up and amps up the energy.
Sinner's voice is serviceable enough for most songs. It's gruff, and does what's needed. On ballads like "Until It Hurts," though, his flaws are exposed. He doesn't have a lot of range, and crooning just isn't his style.
The riffs on Crash & Burn are familiar, and the lyrics can be downright cheesy. Still, the songs are catchy enough the CD is satisfying, even though it's a bit of a guilty pleasure.
(released January 13, 2009 on Candlelight Records)
