Ah, French Kiss. You've brought me acts like the Hold Steady and Ex-Models. How could you fail me now? Especially with J.Robbins at the head? So Rahim's latest EP had some standards to live up to. And it looks like they got darn close. Darn close, indeed.

Rahim offers you what bands like Fugazi, Gang of Four, and others have brought you beforehand: Repetitive art-punk that follows a distinct groove. Rahim seems a bit sparse though, leaving much to simple guitar and bass riffs while the heavy driving drum beat takes over the speakers. With standard Q and Not U vocals, you know you're set with something that is tried and true. And it's not bad, not bad at all.

The only problem is that it gets too repetitive. The songs don't offer much change, and feel a tad bit drawn out. They're extremely interesting with great musicianship, but I can't help but feel like this band needs more time to write more concise songs that don't repeat themselves. I think the problem also stems from the lack of variation that this style of music offers. There's only so much to work with, leaving only so much difference between tracks. Which always bores me. I can't help it.

Promise is shown for Rahim, now they just need to take it and run with it.