With a style as eclectic as indie rock is, it's always hard to find pure originality from a band. Some bands take ideas and musical stylings from groups they enjoy, and it influences their music, and sometimes originality suffers. Parker Theory is a new three-piece band from San Diego, California, who hope to prove they can stay afloat in a world being flooded with more and more aspiring indie rock bands.

With their debut, Leaving California, the band is still in the indie phase, which is something that happens with new bands. After being a underground for a while, sometimes when a band eventually gets signed, they tend to change their sound to something they think might sell, or they write something they think sounds good for radio. This ultimately can result in a loss of uniqueness that might have been felt more prominently on their independent records. Parker Theory seems to keep their sound consistent, and through a fourteen-song album, they hold interest pretty long. With a mix of indie rock, piano, a little country, and creative songwriting, the band is sure to gain quite a following with this release.

Highlights on the rather long record include the catchy "Burn Another House Down" (which eerily sounds like something from now-defunct Waking Ashland), the rock-fueled sounds and melodic feeling of "Letting You In," and the quirky, Weezer-esque "Shoe Song," which is sure to become a fan favorite. Many songs register as ballads and worshipful tracks, incorporating violin on the album's closer, "Sing You To Sleep," and others, like "Swimming Back To You" and the country-tinged "Lighthouse." Overall, Parker Theory has put out a worthwhile debut record, even if it's not a winner all the way around. It will be interesting to see where, in theory, these boys take themselves next.

- Review date: 9/23/07, written by Justin Mabee