Zeus

Zeus have nearly all the makings of a great pop band: they have an acclaimed debut album under their belts, a deal with the esteemed Arts & Crafts and an obvious flair for carefully constructed retro-rock arrangements. There's just one thing missing: hooks. The 14 tracks on the Ontario outfit's sophomore effort, Busting Visions, are stuffed with '60s-tinged harmonies and riffs, but nothing stands out or makes an impression. This is a shame, since there's no disputing that Zeus are well-versed in a variety of styles. "Are You Gonna Waste My Time?" is laced with glam-y lead guitars, while "Love/Pain" evokes John Lennon's darker turns and the falsetto-laden "Proud and Beautiful" takes a folksy approach to R&B. Without a truly killer chorus to take it to the next level, however, Busting Visions amounts to less than the sum of its influences.