After having had reviewed my fair share of "funky, rockin'" Faith No More wanna- bes and "samplin' rockers," I have but one reaction: yawn. Incubus had some balls, and so did Zebrahead. The Ernies do, too, but we've got to ask ourselves: where is the divine magic? Where are the exceptional lyrics, wacked- out beats, attention- grabbing riffs-- something, anything!

The offspring of the menage- a- trois between 311, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine has produced some creatively- challenged little ones. The Ernies, from Richmond, VA, give us Meson Rey, a competent if not boring album. The tracks are dominated by chord- heavy rock supporting pedestrian vocals (in the style of Mike Patton), sprinkled lightly with scratches, samples and other newish electronic bells and whistles. I like all of those things individually, but for some reason, when combined, the product is less- than- exciting.

The only track that really stands out on Meson Ray is the ska- rock track, "The Hitman Tommy Hearns," if only for the pure novelty of the sound of a police siren and some much- needed creativity in timechanges. Otherwise, the record's pretty much disposable to all but those thirsting for a Fishbone reunion.

-James P. Wisdom