Philmont - Attention

Producer:  Rob Hawkins
Record Label:  ForeFront Records/EMI Christian Music Group
Website:  http://www.myspace.com/philmont

Philmont is one of a couple new artists that were recently scooped up by ForeFront Records - and last fall released a digital EP and this spring released a physical copy of that EP with one new song.  The group recently released their full-length debut for ForeFront records - aptly titled Attention.  Attention includes all 6 songs that were previously featured on the Oh Snap EP - and they still hold up well here, particularly cuts like the infectious pop/punk fun of “I Can’t Stand to Fall” and “My Hippocratic Oath.”  In addition to those 6 songs, the band has included another 6 tunes.  The album opens with another pop/punk tune made straightaway as pure ear-candy - “Hello Jack.”  Musically, Philmont doesn’t cover any new ground and don’t feature anything terribly original - but fans of catchy pop/punk similar to folks like Stellar Kart, Hawk Nelson, FM Static, and old-school Relient K will find a lot to like here.  The pop/punk, aggressive rock ‘n roll cuts like “Where to Start,” “My Hippocratic Oath,” and “Setting Off” are radio-friendly tunes and showcase the band’s knack for writing catchy melodies.  However, the band really shines in their softer and more introspective moments.  “The Terminal” and “Letter To the Editor” are both nice songs that speak of our hopelessness without God.  Where the band soars is also where the falter a bit as well.  As mentioned before, the band creates catchy punk/pop - but it’s so similar to bands already out there that many people may just skip over Attention.  “Back Down” had the potential to really be a break-out and endearing song for the group, but unfortunately the synth-based tracks really take the song down a notch.  Lyrically, the band focuses on a cross between relationships with God and other people.  “To Say They Hit It Off Would Be An Understatement” in particular is a nice tribute to the struggle of relationships, while “Hello, Jack” details a harrowing plane ride with gun-toting saboteurs.  The aforementioned “Letter To the Editor” is a nice call to God, and “My Hippocratic Oath” is a clever salvation story set to song.  Overall, Philmont definitely have their strong moments, but people expecting something outside of the typical pop/punk sound should look elsewhere.

Track listing:
1. Hello, Jack
2. To Say They Hit It Off Would Be An Understatement
3. I Can’t Stand to Fall
4. Another Name
5. The Difference
6. Back Down
7. Setting Off
8. Letter To the Editor
9. My Hippocratic Oath
10. Photosynthetic
11.  Where to Start
12.  The Terminal