Ima Robot Monument to the Masses

Listening to Ima Robots mishmash of pop punk and new wave youd never know that in the 90s the bands main players were rappers. On their sophomore record their roots rarely show  its almost all slick, amped-up rock. Ima Robots main attraction is their schizophrenic sound. They flawlessly move from Billy Talent-like screamo pop on "The Beat to their Killers imitation on "Eskimo Ride. For the most part this diversity keeps things interesting and shows Ima Robots range, but on a few occasions, such as the "Lola sounding "Lovers in Captivity their ambition gets the better of them (and whats with the fake British accent?). While the albums structure is worth noting, the songs themselves arent worth a second take. "Chip off the Old Block is an annoying, radio-friendly power pop tune, while "Cool Cool Universe, the only song that harkens back to the bands rap days, is an uncomfortably obnoxious track about war, the evil American government and all the other things that makes life suck. Ima Robot should keep the ambition, but lose the cheesy songwriting. (Virgin/EMI)