Reading the words “concept album” is always a cause for concern before listening to a record, having become synonymous with pretension and failed expectations. As such, I was particularly skeptical before my first listening of Entre Luz Y Sombra, an album by Almas Band that purportedly explores the concept of Yin and Yang through a tale of two brothers. Although attempting to develop such ideas into a series of songs is laudable, when the actual music surrounding it is so aggressively bland, it’s hard to see the merits.

Having mastered only the most basic of Spanish phrases I’m not going to pretend that I was able to decipher the meaning behind the lyrics, but aesthetically the vocal melodies are pleasant enough. Beyond the obnoxious whistling and “Na na na” style choruses littering Entre Luz y Sombra, the one English language song tells a reasonably trite tale of tumultuous young love, which I’m forced to assume is representative of the caliber of the rest of the tracks.

That’s not to say that Almas Band aren’t competent at what they do, it’s just that what they do is sadly forgettable. I hesitate to use the phrase “elevator music” because there are moments of beauty throughout this double pressing, but they’re completely offset by the numerous insipid ones. Mid-album track ‘Versatil’ starts off in a promisingly heartfelt and melancholic manner before quickly descending into a vapid chorus that wipes away any good will that had accumulated beforehand.

Billed as alternative rock, there is little alternative about Almas Band on Luz, the first of the two discs. Fortunately, the second CD begins much more promisingly with opening track ‘Inocente’ displaying distinct clattering drums combined with some moderately interesting riffs and keyboard loops. I’m not about to say that it’s particularly original, or even overtly enjoyable, but it immediately feels far more interesting than what has come before.

Imagine my disappointment then when the remaining seven tracks slipped straight back into bland and hackneyed territory with a disturbing sense of ease. If you’re looking for completely inoffensive indie rock that fades into the background as easily as a socially awkward teenager (except with none of the depth) then this might well be the record for you. Otherwise, steer clear at all costs.