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Catatonia - Equally Cursed and Blessed

Two stars

Formed in Wales in 1992, Catatonia is know for featuring a melodic fusion between the traditional Brit-pop sounds of bands like Blur and Suede and a raw dosage of American indie-rock.

Unfortunately, the band's latest album, Equally Cursed and Blessed, falls short of rising above musical mediocrity, instead sounding like The Cardigans on a bad night.

Catatonia's music is tired and boring, lacking passion or punch. The mellow organs, quietly strummed guitars and tame drumming are stale and provide little interest.

That, unfortunately, may have been an intentional production choice, as blonde bombshell and lead singer Cerys Matthews' beautiful voice overshadows almost every aspect of the album.

Matthews' seems to be the major reason the band itself exists; like other female- fronted bands such as Garbage or The Cardigans, Catatonia seems bent on touting its female talent and hoping that her good looks and sweet, pouty voice will bring the band fame and fortune.

Sadly for Catatonia, looks can only carry a band so far.

Songs like "Dead From the Waist Down" and "Bulimic Beats" show-off Matthews' singing talents, but provide less than satisfactory musical backing.

If Catatonia could re-focus its energy on creating more plausible music and move Matthews' voice away from the spotlight, perhaps more could be accomplished.