The Graduate — Anhedonia

The Graduate
Anhedonia
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by Al Kaufman

Sometimes listening to music is a learning experience. Before coming across the Graduate’s Anhedonia, who would of honestly known that the title means "an inability to experience pleasure"? With such a moniker, one would expect some quite dour music, and the Springfield, Illinois quartet certainly do offer up a good dose of angst. Typical lyrics from the pen of Corey Warning include, "Why can’t I be okay?", "I’m so desperate.", and "We never get what we want.". But it is all instantly accessible angst. This is the power pop of Blink 182 and Good Charlotte, albeit without the humor. Lots of minor chords and slightly flat, but wholly impassioned, vocals from Warning, mixed with incredibly catchy hooks ensure a batch of radio friendly ditties. The band also offers up enough variety to never bore. The instrumental, "Interlude," recalls some of the best electronica of the ’80s, and "Stay the Same" begins with a surprisingly funky groove, even if the remainder of the song slowly drifts off toward mediocrity. The rest is just a good dose of slick indie rock, twhich is only indie because a major label has yet to scoop them up. It’s only a matter of time.

The Graduate, with Secondhand Serenade, My American Heart, Play Radio Play, and Rookie of the Year, play the Masquerade, on Monday, July 22, 6:30 pm. $12.