Presumably named after drummer John Zox, Rhode Island-based four piece Zox have worked their way up from oblivion via the independent route. Until recently managing themselves, booking their own tours and designing their own merchandise, they’ve still managed to play over 400 US shows in the last two years, including the Vans Warped tour and support slots with everyone from Flogging Molly to Live and Black Eyed Peas to Everclear.

The Wait could be regarded as their first album proper – following 2003’s self-released Take Me Home – but it was worth the, erm, wait. They have a real knack for pop songs, with a not-so-punk backing that has more in common with The Dandy Warhols’ psychedelica or Yellowcard (probably due to the notable presence of a violin). Most of the songs are actually quite depressing in lyrical content, but the whole is delivered with such a verve for life that it still sounds hopeful and uplifting, if not exactly joyous.

Picking highlights is a somewhat difficult task, given that at least half the album stands out, but ‘Carolyn’, ‘Better If It’s Worse’, ‘Big Fish’ and ‘I Am Only Waiting’ are probably the best examples of what the album has to offer, ranging from the relatively upbeat rocky number to yearning ballads. What’s most impressive, however, is not just the range of styles that Zox can incorporate, but the fact that they’re blended into their own unique sound – as such, the album sounds surprisingly coherent, rather than like a disjointed collection of different influences.
(4/5)