Children of the night have awaken and its “6AM” the opening track for this amazing band from Chicago, a blend of rock and alternative that smacks you between the eyes. I love these boys as they push the limits with hooks and melody above simplistic typical alternative sound.

Their young yet they seem to have the perfect balance between rock and alternative for success. The music is driving and hits hard and enjoyable to listen to. BLACKTOP MOURNING is produced by Adam Duritz (COUNTING CROWS), Max Steger and David Immergluck, with Duritz adding background vocals on four of the tracks.

There is a multitude of great tunes but one of harder hitters is “My Only Heart” it has aggressive guitar by Max Steger and with the vocal pipes of Joe Levand who drives this track home it could reach out to the metal crowd.

“These Times Call” returns to the more AOR style and If these boys had the same gimmick of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE they would put The ROMANCE on a back burner. There are not just a few good songs on “No Regrets” this is a CD you can listen to from start to finish without skipping tracks.

You can hear the influence of Adam Duritz of the COUNTING CROWS on this phenomenal ballad “Hardly Recognize”, Levand totally shines and shows the versatility BLACKTOP MOURNING possesses.

Listening to the last track you would figure that there should be at least one filler track, not here. “As Time Crawls By” is still slamming just as good as the first track. This is a killer debut that reaches out to music fans, has to be added to your collection. And you think these guys are just another pop band check the licks on this track by Steger…. Who’s you daddy….Get it!!!