Driving East: The Future of the Free World Is Riding On This One

The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
March 7, 2008

Artist: Driving East
Album: The Future of the Free World Is Riding On This One
Label: The Militia Group
Rating:

I had never heard of the term Powerpop until Fall Out Boy came on the scene. Fusing the attitude of Punk Rock, Pop Punk, Rock, Pop and (gasp!) good vocals was a fresh idea back in 2003. Unfortunately, this led to market saturation and tons of bands that took on the Powerpop label. Which leads us to Driving East and their new album, The Future of the Free World is Riding On This One out on The Militia Group.

It’s not that this is a BAD record. There’s solid production, the band can play & Barrett Mullins can sing. But, we’ve heard all this before and in most cases we’ve heard it done better. I’m not going to be all doom and gloom, this is a marketable record and I’m positive it will and has sold a ton of records. There are plenty of people who will eat this up. With that said, though, I don’t think there is much that stands out to make this a memorable record.

Driving East have released a slightly above average album with The Future of the Free World is Riding On This One and with The Militia Group’s back catalog of great bands, I was expecting more. In my opinion, Driving East’s The Future of the Free World is Riding On This One is predictable Powerpop that doesn’t contribute anything new to the table.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Baby (just a little bit)”

“Backseat”