I get fatigued easily by any music from the goth/dark wave/et cetera universe, even when it sounds cool, even when I basically get where the band is coming from. I appreciate The Passengers’ unflinching negativity, their willingness to say, in effect, “everything is fucked” (everything absolutely is fucked, man). I suppose the problem is: that message is delivered via dour stadium rock and moaning, old school horror villain vocals. Dark Shadows and power snare? Not for me, but maybe for thee. –Matt Werts (Volar, volarrecords.bandcamp.com)