Is pop alternative a proper label? If so, Groove fits this category neatly. I'm not sure I like the combination myself, but some may. Maybe this is supposed to be alternative that just had too much of a CCM production. Maybe it's the sound they want. Either way, that is what you get, which is not necessarily bad. Variety definitely has some moments that caused me to perk up my ears and listen, but it just didn't quite take me to that next level where I'm interested in the whole project. It kind of reminded me of the latest Seven Day Jesus and Sunday's Child releases. Not in style, but in how the content just didn't quite click with me. The music itself is well played, the vocals are "nice," and the lyrics are solidly Christ-centered. I can't name a definite band Groove sounds like, but they have "that sound." You know, the one that makes you hum along with it even if you don't know the words. I guess that's what does interest me about Groove--they have a friendly, easy-to-listen-to sound. Maybe all they really need is time to develop, a little spice, and better production to help make them stand out.
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Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerFrom the album title and cover art, you might expect something a little different, maybe a little retro, hopefully a little "groovy" ... but the alternative rock/power pop inside is more like a xerox copy of other bands. Not an identical imitation, but a black and white replication that only captures part of the quality of the originals. The production seems flat and one-dimensional, robbing the…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by James StewartIs 'kitsch' cool at the moment? I ask because that's what I thought when I saw the cover and listened to the first track of this album. As the synthesised voice, sampled from a child's toy (they call the track "Generic Teddy Bear"), invited "Come on everybody, let's rock. Rock n roll." I wondered what exactly this album contained.... From there on, most of those associations disappear as the band…
