NOCTURNE

NOCTURNE are the latest in a long line of female-fronted, electronic-tinged rock bands (the most well-known being GARBAGE). Like many of these groups, the "industrial" elements found within seem more like superficial machine trappings hung on a basic hard rock framework — enough stuff to warrant playing to a DAT live, maybe, but nothing particularly groundbreaking or innovative.

Lacey Conner has this girly, sing-songy voice (reminiscent of SCHEER frontwoman Audrey Gallagher) that she occasionally twists into a rather unconvincing snarl. She's pretty much the focal point, as the music behind is disposable 1995-era alt-rock guitar dressed up in the aforementioned effects. The effect, on songs like "I Lie", is that of a mid-1990's movie soundtrack — decent background music similar to the slew of bands from that era clogging up the discount bins at your local record store (see: PSYCHOTICA, GRAVITY KILLS, GOD LIVES UNDERWATER, JACK OFF JILL, ad nauseam).

Conner lacks the charisma to put these songs over, or even much of a vocal personality, rendering the whole project faceless (since she's what the songs are built around). Crooning "please take me now" over and over again in the lackluster "Indulge" is a sure way to win over this scene's contingent of sweaty fanboys who herald every scarified female behind a microphone as worthy of unconditional worship. But most listeners will find "Guide To Extinction" dated and stale. The more melodic, campy tracks (see "Nothing") work much better than the attempts at abrasiveness (the utterly pointless "Dirty Sanchez" and third-rate snarler "Dead Man"),but the whole thing is basically worth a pass.