This German-American rock outfit’s music is as diverse as the international background of the band members themselves. There’s Motley Crue type rock and Hootie And The Blowfish boredom. After the first run in my CD-player I Like You struck me as the work of a decent cover band who started writing their own music. Technically good, flawless even but completely lacking the magic of a good song, a striking melody, or a lyric that reaches out to you.

My mistake, because after a second run in my player the album did manage to pop up a few surprises.

Songs like “One” and “Running Around” rock out and that’s what Tell Your Mother does best. But! (There’s always a but). As soon as the band starts to take the pace down and experiment they enter the valley of missed chances, of boredom and irritation (“I Hate You”). The craft of song writing is once more proven to truly be a craft. Despite their talent as musicians I Like You is for the large part a gathering of overused ideas and yawning rock. Tell Your Mother to buy the latest Cave In if she’s interested in some exiting rock.