white-bread, gimmick-free rock

Everything, I Bet You (October)

The Honeydogs

By Kory Wilcoxson

The Honeydogs don't have a ferocious bite. They're not attention-grabbers, opting instead for the sure and steady approach to their Midwestern rock -- they rely on strong songwriting from their frontman Adam Levy and on their mainstream white-bread sound, letting their music, not their image, do the talking.

And for the most part, it works well. The songs are inviting and refreshingly mature. "Moth" has a catchy chorus and, like all their songs, is a perfect picture of musical synchronicity. These guys just sound comfortable together.

Despite a few slow spots, Everything is basically a good time, atmospherically and musically. The Honeydogs aren't trying to gimmick us into a listen; they don't have to.