Cope Park (2004) On the surface, indie rockers Audio Learning Center seem to be a departure for Vagrant, the Motown of bleeding-heart emo acts like Dashboard Confessional. But… Audio Learning Center

Details Release Date: Apr 06, 2004; Lead Performance: Audio Learning Center

On the surface, indie rockers Audio Learning Center seem to be a departure for Vagrant, the Motown of bleeding-heart emo acts like Dashboard Confessional. But between its choked-cat vocals and lines like ''lacerate these heartstrings,'' Cope is simply another mope session. ''California,'' which offers death-march drums, shows some spine, but mostly the CD offers thick guitars and hooks that slide off like a used Band-Aid.

Originally posted Apr 23, 2004 Published in issue #761 Apr 23, 2004 Order article reprints