Story of the Year's 'Constant' is inconsistent

Story of the Year's "The Constant" (Epitaph) feels like a study of niche marketing, of giving fans of various genres a little of what they want. The St. Louis rockers bounce so often between the piano-driven pop of "Holding on to You" to the raging metallic punk of "To the Burial" that it's jarring. They are far better at the hard-core stomp of "Eye for an Eye" or the punishing "Won Threw Ate" than the poppier stuff, though the radio-friendly "I'm Alive" will probably get them more attention. Eclectic is one thing, but a contrast this wide makes the whole "The Constant" package hard to believe.

STORY OF THE YEAR

"The Constant"

GRADE B-

BOTTOM LINE Try-anything rock that sometimes succeeds