Staple is the newest talent to emerge from Flicker Record this Spring. Bearing an aggressive sound soaked with angst and pounding guitar riffs, Staple is easily the label's heaviest release to date. Their self-titled debut bears a mix of influences for what results in a bold and confident effort.

Lead vocalist Darin Keim often screams his verses from track to track, but offers up some Blindside-esque melodies in the album highlight "Impressionable." While angst towards society and life's trials permeate the lyrics of Staple's debut, hope still manages to find its way in, "Can I wait when Your mighty arms are all that's holding me? / Can I wait when everything is crashing down on me?/... I'm new. I'm frail. I'm fragile. So impressionable / Yet so hard to change / Change me!"

"Remember Sammy Jankis" is a frantic thrasher clearly inspired by the indie thriller Memento. The film's story revolves around a man trying to seek vengeance on the unknown killer of his wife while fighting a recurring short-term memory loss ailment. Staple uses the story to show the dangers of anger, unforgiveness and the snares of hate, "Bottled up inside, and swallowing me/ I've fallen in love with hate, and now I'm finding that it's too late/ This bitterness won't leave."

Reminiscent of artists like Project 86, Disturbed, Blindside, and occasionally even a hint of System Of A Down, Staple looks to be one of best new rock acts of the year.

- PReview date: 2/27/04; Review date: 3/22/04, written by John DiBiase