The band Clockwise is reminiscent of blink 182 – orat least tries to be. The band specializes in angstyrock in its debut CD, “Healthy Manipulation,” andwhile the music is okay, it doesn’t live up to therock/punk bands that have preceded it.

If nothing else, “Healthy Manipulation” featuresdiverse talents and decent songwriting. The bandmembers write their own songs, which range fromballads to alternative rock, but all of the songs dealwith the same thing – girls, girls and more girls. Howgirls hurt guys, why girls act the way they do, whygirls are so controlling. This all makes for a whinyCD, which is not helped by the complaining voice oflead singer Austin Leduc.

Luckily, the other band members are not nearly asannoying as Leduc. Clockwise features solid talentssuch as Dave McMahan, who plays the drums, andguitarists Justin Pasquale and Scott Beare. McMahan,Pasquale and Beare seem to bring life to “HealthyManipulation,” life that the CD sorely needs. Theirmusic is spirited and passionate, and almost begins tomake up for the annoyingly one-sided lyrics.

“Healthy Manipulation” is also really very depressingand melancholy. I understand that thesetwentysomething, pouting, conflicted men have somedeep issues – mostly many, many issues with the womenin their lives. I really truly do understand. I justdon’t want their issues in my CD player. At least mostbands have the occasional lighthearted track on theirCD. But “Healthy Manipulation” seems to be the bandmembers’ own personal therapy session. Music issupposed to be an escape – not a rant-filled excusefor an album.

That said, there are some songs on “HealthyManipulation” that – dare I say it? – are actuallypretty good. “No Sympathy,” “Paranoid” and “Hook andLine” combine all of the band’s talents and strengthsto make for some great songs. And miraculously, noneof them are ruined by Leduc’s annoying whine. On thesetracks, the band seems to come together, making forsome surprisingly well-done songs, a relief given therest of the CD’s cliched offerings.

In the end, Clockwise isn’t the best band out there.But with a little work – a lot less handling ofissues, and some much-needed singing lessons for Leduc- the band could be worthy of higher praise. But fornow, I’ll stick with my blink 182 – a band that knowswhat fans want and rarely disappoints or depresses.