If you don't know who Stephen Pederson is, you've been living under a rock for the last half decade. A founding member of Omaha post-punkers Cursive, Pederson left the band after their second album to move to North Carolina and form The White Octave. His new project, the Omaha based Criteria, picks up where the White Octave left off. Emotive lyrics and well constructed rhythms combine in a rock motif, creating a sound both pleasing and familiar, though strangely unique.

Vocally and musically, Criteria tends to shift from the indie rock/post-punk style one might expect to a more traditional rock and roll sound. At moments, En Garde does tend to sound a bit reminiscent of At the Drive In, but in a good way--more of the direction a lot of us wish they had gone. Pederson's introspective lyric writing, riddled with metaphor, fits the tone of the music well, creating an album that overall shows both vulnerability and strength.

What I was left with was that this is a strong first release, with a sound distinct enough to separate Criteria from Pederson's previous projects as well as the scene he has rejoined.

-Dave Mandell