Beat Union

Hey, Beat Union. Fallout Boy called and left a message. It said, "Expect to hear from our lawyers." Ok, that didn't really happen, but it could. Beat Union's Disconnected is an effervescent slice of undeniably catchy, pop punk that's totally plugged in to pop culture. Disconnected is upbeat, dancey, sugary-sweet, and it will take up residence in you brain for days, weeks, months at a time. The band has mastered the art and science of a hooky melody, and even I couldn't get the chorus from "My Heart Starts Beating:" out of my skull. That said, the band has definitely done its Fallout Boy homework, but it's not as endearing as Pete Wentz and company have made themselves. Disconnected is fun and frivolous, but it won’t be something for the ages.

— Amy Sciarretto
04.15.08

Although they've been compared to such pissed-yet-tuneful Brits of yesteryear as Elvis Costello and the Jam, the Birmingham, U.K. based quartet Beat Union has also studied modern day pop-punk, as evidenced throughout their U.S. debut, 2008's Disconnected. In other words, the group favors a glossy-sounding production which reflects the modern day messy-haired, mascara-and-tie-wearing set, rather than the aforementioned acts. As a result, it's the same style that zillions of other similarly styled acts have adopted regularly in the wake of Green Day and blink-182 mania: singsongy choruses, relentlessly bashed power chords (but under a sticky sweet sheen), and cutesy boy-girl lyrics, as evidenced by such tuneful ditties as the title track, "Pressure Zone," and "Jonny Loves Jojo." Overall, Disconnected is equally a fitting soundtrack for an episode of The O.C. or a Sweet 16 roller staking party. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide