The world is full of what ifs – what if the Red Sox hadn't traded Babe Ruth, what if the Beatles had got back together, what if (silly rabbit) Trix weren't just for kids? After slogging my way through Anatomy of a Ghost's latest CD, Evanesce, I have a few more what ifs to add to the list.

For example: what if the vocals on Evanesce had been up to par with the instrumental tracks? Had that been the case, the CD could have sounded something like a punk'd out version of Tool. As it was, however, the vocals provided by John, Dewey, and Zach (no last names here) mixed kid-sounding leads of questionable tuning (trying to sound like Blink 182?) with microphone-peaking, pseudo-metal screaming (trying to sound like Linkin Park?) I have to give these guys a little credit because they had the sense to mix the vocals very soft on the CD, allowing the more-listenable instrumentals to stand in the foreground.

Bringing me to my next what if: what if Anatomy of a Ghost had not tried to fit so many musical ideas into each song? There are really cool rhythmic moments throughout the entire album, but they rarely last long enough for the listener to enjoy them. Maybe these guys are trying to sound musically sophisticated (in an Incubus sort of way) by throwing out as many cool licks and rhythmic change-ups as they can fit into 11 tracks. Whatever the reason, the end result sounds unstructured and poorly planned.

Now my final what if: what if you, dear reader, purchased Evanesce? Perhaps you'll like the short snatches of clever writing that pop up here and there on this album. Maybe you adore screeching, clenched-throat vocals. If so, enjoy. Personally, I'd wait for the next Anatomy of a Ghost CD to see if they can put together a more consistent, unique sound. The potential is there, but it's not apparent on this album.

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