When Bellingham's Autumn Poetry was first introduced to me, I was somewhat skeptical. The name threw me off since it's just a bit too much of an emo cliché, but I quit being so damn judgmental long enough to give their new record, The Drama EP, a spin. It's a quick listen, with influences ranging from Jawbreaker to the Jealous Sound to early Get Up Kids. While the album does have its flaws, it also shows more promise than your typical heart-on-their-sleeve indie act.

The second track, "Ring Finger," is my personal favorite. It starts with soft singing over a lone guitar (where I honestly almost rolled my eyes at the intro's overt sensitivity), but 30 seconds later the song is saved by exploding into Rentals-esque bittersweet poppiness with bouncing Rhodes keyboards and vocal harmonies. The chorus is an agitated mix of guitars and the words, "Yeah, you say that you know me so well!" spat out repeatedly by singer Caleb Young. By the end, the song features gang vocals, wailing guitar, and energetic drum bursts.

The rest of the album isn't quite as muscular, but it still flaunts a few surprises. "Punish Me," though mostly your standard pretty indie rock song, features flashes of aggression, and "Child" gets a bit Minus the Bear–like with the opening moody guitar work. Overall, though, it sounds like Autumn Poetry is holding itself back by imposing so many boundaries on their songwriting. But the promise is there, and it should be worth watching them gain momentum if they continue moving out of their emotional shell.

Autumn Poetry are currently wrapping up a small West-Coast tour, and they're celebrating their homecoming and new record at the Paradox on Saturday, August 27, with Barsuk Record's Kind of Like Spitting, Matthew Shaw, and Argo. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and costs $7.

Also this weekend, on Friday, August 26, the Old Fire House says goodbye to their program coordinator, Shannon Roach. Her farewell show features music from United State of Electronica and the Catch, who will be playing with their new lineup (which includes Shane and Garrett of the Divorce as the rhythm section). The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and costs $6 at the door. Speaking of the Old Fire House, next month the Eastside venue officially enters its awkward teens as it celebrates its 13th anniversary. They're kicking the birthday month off with a show featuring a special surprise guest on September 2, but I bet if you check back next week, I'll have at least a hint as to who it might be.