Its Alive’s first CD release comes as a surprise because it isn’t your conventional pop punk fanfare. While poppy melodies and harmonies are commonplace, this band is hardly describable by that phrase: pop punk. Vocals are Bent Outta Shape-y and the music reminds me of the Zoinks. All the songs are catchy and delivered with a passion that is hardly matched by any other band these days. The only song that I could have done without is the slow, folksy “Just Pray.” No worries, though. That leaves seven other gems to keep me company.
–mrz (It’s Alive)