There is a serious problem with modern rock these days. There is a lack of originality going on. The Calling are a good band but they need some original material than what Camino Palmero offers.

As you listen to the 11 tracks, you can hear different elements from different bands coming into focus. “Final Answer” sounds like what the Goo Goo Dolls would be if Creed’s Scott Stapp became the lead singer. Imagine those same vocals with Vertical Horizon’s music. That’s what you get with “Thank You.” There are several other moments when the band’s Creed-style vocals collide with either matchbox twenty music or more Goo Goo Dolls music.

I’m pretty sure that this CD will probably be a big hit seeing that it has such the potential for widespread appeal. However, that is the big problem here. It looks and sounds like the band drew from different sources and inspirations from all over the radio dial. It may sell a lot of records, but it makes for better background music than anything else. GRADE: C+