* SENSE FIELD

(Warner Bros.)

On their blandly reductive Warner Bros. debut, Sense Field gracelessly imitate the sensitive "emo" introspection of groups like Karate and Jets to Brazil. Song titles like "War of the Worlds" and "Are You Okay?" suggest despair, but the music delivers unmoving monotony -- strings of fragmented lyrics sung with unconvincing emotion over repetitive verse-chorus-verse structures. Some songs lead off with intriguing, textured intros, but they too digress into predictably pounded guitar-chord fuzz.

Overseen by David Holman, who has produced Bush and No Doubt, Sense Field are an obvious attempt to capitalize on the post-post-punk phenomenon of emo-core. Their CD recalls the mid-'90s break-up of proto-emo indie stars Jawbreaker, who were unable to balance the commercial pressure of being on a major label with the independent-minded honesty that had won them underground acclaim. Sense Field may embody the narrow definition of radio-friendly music, but only after cutting out the sincerity and creativity that Jawbreaker lived and died by.

-- Nick Catucci