Augustana – Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt

Sony 2008

Rating: 7/10

Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt is the sound of your typical up-and-coming modern pop-rock stars making the bold leap forward to diversify their sound rather than repeat what made them famous. Made famous by their ubiquitous debut single, “Boston,” Augustana was yet another piano-driven rock combo that debuted in 2005 (see: the Fray, Snow Patrol) with yet another distinctive frontman (soulful vocalist Dan Layus).

Despite its cringe-inducing emo title, Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt shies away from the heavily piano-based songs of their first album and focuses more on plain ‘ol rock ‘n roll, the emphasis on chiming guitars and Layus’ strong vocals. “Sweet And Low” is built on a chugging riff and a catchy chorus, while “Dust” takes a Ryan Adams-inspired turn into alt-country and features a dirty guitar solo.

Augustana has not forgotten the piano, however, as tunes like “Twenty Years” proudly show, but its new background role mostly benefits the band and expands the album’s sonic palette while remaining catchier than most of the Fray’s last album.

No amount of instruments, however, can take the limelight of Layus’ high-school poetry lyrics, which tend to derail high-powered songs like “Meet You There” with syrupy love won-and-lost tales. Good thing Layus’ voice is powerful enough to forgive most emo transgressions.

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