More About You

“Rock” is an easy attitude to cop—it’s fun, the hours are good, and the ladies seem to love it. It’s no wonder that it continues to be the go-to persona for young, hungry bands. On its third album, More About You, Milwaukee’s The Delta Routine once again assume the tired-and-true rock stance by mining the classic, guitar-driven treasures of the past. Singer-songwriter Nick Amadeus injects a bluesy swagger into the proceedings, while his band does its best to summon up the hard-living, pre-gentrified ghosts of a mid-’70s CBGB. It’s a convincing act, and executed with an appropriate amount of aplomb; too bad it’s all so maddeningly familiar.

That’s not to say The Delta Routine is lacking in the chops department, or doesn’t have impeccable taste in source material. “Ain’t Worth Your Wait” is an effective New York Dolls-style glam stomp, and channels both that group and the later solo work of guitarist Sylvain Sylvain. “Last Night’s Fable” follows suit with a terrific vocal performance from Amadeus and infectious “oo-oo”s during the chorus. Other tracks find the group practically spelling out its influences in neon: “Cause We’re Young” nicks the opening guitar riff of The Who’s “I Can’t Explain,” while “And It Goes” borrows the rough shuffle of The Strokes’ “Someday.”

The remainder of More About You splits the difference between slick radio fare (“Cool And Collected”), and battle-of-the-bands-friendly college-rock (the rousing blues-progression shout-along “All About No. 1”). It’s not that the album doesn’t contain its share of highlights—frankly, there’s hardly a bum song to be found—it’s just that its reference points are far too worn and threadbare to leave a lasting impression.