Listening Party

Now that Unwritten Law has nearly run its course, lead vocalist Scott Russo is looking for new directions. Scott & Aimee isn't it. It's nice, in parts. But definitely not "it."

Russo's become such an adroit songwriter and talented singer that he should do an acoustic tour. Solo. By himself. Alone.

Aimee Allen's impressive, as well. If she chased the slinky vibe of the opening song, "Silence is Violence," she might find a career waiting for her. But together, Scott & Aimee just sound like a marginally edgy, mainstream-oriented "fuck the establishment" rock couple. If Evanescence is the angel on your shoulder, you might enjoy having Allen on your other shoulder. But the vocals don't match the lyrics-if she were really the bad girl she sings about, she'd sound a lot less polished and a lot more beaten, like someone who's just had her spinal cord ripped from her body.

That said, there's an honesty here that you won't find on many other records. Allen, a one-time major-label project, has been at the edge of buzz and seen the fallout. Russo's had a good, minor-rock-star career that's slowly winding down. They both sing honestly about where they're at, which makes you root for them.

The album, then, can be seen as a necessary misstep in the right direction-away from Unwritten Law for Russo, and away from major-label pawn-brokering for Allen. But if they ever, ever, ever write another song like "SoCal Love," friends should intervene and take away their instruments. Just like they should've done to Sprung Monkey when they penned "Party Like a Rock Star."

-Troy Johnson