Socratic

Ever wonder what piano man Billy Joel might sound like if he was 20 years old and spent way too much time listening to Dashboard Confessional? Me neither. But in case you ever had, the answer to that better left unasked question can be found in the debut full-length from New Jersey’s Socratic. Surprisingly effective in its combination of piano and emo ("piamo,” anyone?), the quintet’s sound is a forceful fusion of beautifully textured emo rock, soaring vocal harmonies and a modern rock aesthetic not unlike Something Corporate — only less whiny and more interesting. The epic album’s 14 tracks range in tone from the big wanky pseudo-classical music box dancer pirouette of "Theme from Your Mother’s Garden” to rockers and ballads with equal effect and impact. Not your daddy’s piano music.