Synthstatic

At least Skywave are honest. One need only take a cursory glance at the Fredericksburg, Virginia-based trio's latest album, Synthstatic, and its hallucinogenic pink and blue artwork, or pull up the band's website at killerrockandroll.com to infer what their music sounds like and where they get their kicks. Like many of the best rock bands around today, Skywave have hardly an original lick in them. But anyone who listens to The Strokes for their inventiveness or risk-taking is missing the point. Synthstatic is indebted to two bands in particular-- My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus & Mary Chain-- and Skywave aren't afraid to filch textbook riffs and techniques from either group. The 14 songs here are shamelessly and often overwhelmingly derivative, and dare you to do something about it.