POP MUSIC REVIEW : Silos’ Show Goes Against the Grain

Hailing from southern Florida by way of New York City, the Silos are the latest great white hope of college radio and the alternative rock press. A cursory listen to their likable major-label debut album reveals why: Their poppy, lilting grunge-rock aims to close the not-inconsiderable gap between the Georgia Satellites, the Band, the dB’s, R.E.M. and maybe even the Outlaws.

Based on a less than enthralling 75-minute set Tuesday at the Roxy, though, it would seem the praise is a little premature. A fan would chalk it up to utter lack of pretense, but the Silos are a fairly blase stage unit, and most of the material just isn’t strong enough to overcome the lack of urgency invested in it. The album promises considerable potential, but the lackadaisical live show wasn’t the sort to make converts.

Of the two lead vocalists, Walter Salas-Humara writes and sings the lion’s share but also has the more tentative voice, which he didn’t test with too many inflections of personality. Bob Rupe contributes the warmer-sounding, more Band-like tunes. There’s an attractive, offhand honesty to the Silos’ brand of Americana, but considering that it took them till the encore to find a number that really built up a full head of steam, seriousness of intent may not be enough.