Review by David Reis Conner are four young guys from Lawrence, Kansas - Bryce Boley (drums), Phil Bonahoom (bass), James Duft (guitar/vocals) and Tom Wagner (guitar). Soon they received, justly, comparisons to The Strokes, The Clash and Built to Spill. Their debut album, Hello Graphic Missile (Sonic Boom Recordings) is astounding, a clever but substantial collection of uncommonly catchy songs that displays the capacity of Conner's fine-tuned rock. 13 songs, 40 minutes of rock n´roll kiss that knocks you unconscious to the ground with bouncy bass lines, brushed drums, mind-blowing guitar riffs and a lilting, rough voice. Few bands are this open-eyed to the chance that music can be both strangely tricky and easily remembered. In addition, making any record that sounds different from anything else is a triumph in itself. A triumph of intense, eerie, and compelling songs. Tempting, isn't it? Luscious "Cold Feelings" and irresistible "Independent Women", course together subtly, all texture, mood, and shade... These songs are great - genuine, rugged, melodically stormy and full of rock flesh and blood. I find that they get better with each listen. If you like these two songs, you'll like the lot, for sure. As a whole, the group has created an album charged not only with catchy rock songs but with the breath of an almost forgotten indie honesty.