Boxcar Racer

A side project from Tom Delonge and Travis Barker of Blink-182, Boxcar Racer branch out from the revved-up punk juvenilia of their parent band to create something much heavier and more expressive than that multi-platinum kiddie-punk act. Only Delonge's distinctive voice keeps this from sounding like the buzz-and-cry anthems regularly released by indie labels like Jade Tree. More than a note or two of Boxcar Racer's approach has been nicked from Emo-forerunners Fugazi, but this band's melodic sense won't alienate devout Blink fans (while the brooding, chunkier moments are sure to supply them with the credibility they may be seeking).