The Eagle Tribune, November 2, 2002

justincase offers a touch of rock 'n' roll
By Amanda Yim
Eagle-Tribune Teen Writer

Mix raw talent, astonishing lyrics, beautiful musicianship and a similar genetic makeup and you get Justincase, an up-and-coming new trio from Charlotte, N.C., that is sure to become a musical phenomenon with the release of its self-titled debut album Tuesday from Maverick Records.

Justincase is made up of the Tosco siblings: 19-year-old Justin, the lead singer with blond hair, hazel eyes and boyish good looks; blond, blue-eyed drummer Nick, 17; and 16-year-old Hannah, the bass-playing little sister with the red chunky streaks in her short, black hair. They are proving themselves to be fresh and unlike any other band in the music industry.

The album demonstrates sentiment, eccentric nature, obvious talent and maturity through the emotional lyrics and sheer tone of the music.

Justincase's sound is unique, derived from musical influences such as the Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, and the Foo Fighters. Unlike other sibling bands such as rock/pop musicians Hanson and dance/pop newcomers Triple Image, Justincase has more of an alternative rock/pop garage-band style.

Justin's voice, Hannah's edgy yet melodic guitar riffs and Nick's upbeat percussion rhythms all have a touch of rock 'n' roll, giving them their own sound.

Justin's voice is similar to that of Davey Jones, lead singer of the '60s band, the Monkees, but minus the British accent. A little of Steven Jenkins from Third Eye Blind can also be thrown in to describe Justin's voice when he goes for the higher notes in such songs as "It was Something" and "Constellation." The band's album also reminds listeners of the early '90s band, the Gin Blossoms, which sang such hits as "Follow You Down," "Hey Jealousy" and "Til I Hear It From You."

Each of the 11 tracks on the album was either written or co-written by the eldest Tosco, Justin. The album consists of songs concerning love, heartbreak, and the matter of letting go and moving on. The opening song, "What I Wouldn't Do," starts off mellow and the voice of Justin kicks in along with a great guitar riff. In the chorus, Justin sings, "What I, what I, what I wouldn't do to wipe all your pain away. And what I, what I, what I wouldn't do to walk the road you've walked along."

Track 6, "Without You," is a delightful duet by Justin and friend and fellow label mate, Michelle Branch. The song begins with Justin singing, "It's been two weeks and three days long, I'm all alone since you've been gone, I can't keep myself from asking why, I just want to see my reflection in your eyes."

Then the song breaks into a bridge and chorus. Michelle begins the second verse, "I wear your shirt, the scent of you reminds me of the night that we became two. There's nothing else that feels the same, everyday there's sun. It feels just like rain," rendering the feelings of missing and wanting a loved one. Of all the songs on the album, "Without You" is softer on the ears and more thoughtful. It has a catchy chorus that will be stuck in one's head after just one listen.

Songs such as "Inside Your Mind" and "The Best I Could Do" are love songs, neither soft nor sentimental, talking about how someone would do anything to see their love and how their love is perfect.

Other songs, like "Tell Me (What I Mean to You)" and "Letter," discuss a love that went wrong and how to deal with the heartbreak. With lyrics like, "Snow is falling across the streetlights. It's nothing I can change. Summer left me and I wish you hadn't before you took the chance to say all the things you didn't say. I know the stars won't fade but they just don't shine since you went away, " the song "Tell Me (What I Mean To You)" is one of the more tender songs on the album, expressing heartbreak through Justin's poignant voice, Nick's soft drumming and harmonious and mellow guitar sections by Hannah.

"Letter" is also one of the more gentle songs, with slower guitar riffs at the start of the song building up to the chorus with a more dramatic sound. The song explains a failing love with the lyrics, "Somewhere between 'nice to meet you' and 'we're better apart,' I lost the will to see you, the way that I did at the start."

The first single off of the album, "Don't Cry For Us," was written in memory of the band's late friends. The song describes loss in the lyrics, "You know I'd do anything just to watch you sleep. I can picture you just lying there, and we don't need to say the words 'cause they don't mean a thing. You know you're not alone when someone cares and I believe that you are still my anything and everything I need."

The debut single -- an emotional song with a feeling of serenity in the mellow guitar chords, quiet percussion and powerful lyrics -- is primarily about what it feels like going through difficult times. It was co-written by Justin and Michelle Branch.

Amanda Yim, 16, attends Methuen High