By: Becky Firesheets
Rating: 6/11

Workout mixes organ-like synths with electro drumbeats, heavy guitars and dramatic vocals to create a rock opera effect fit for an Off-Off Broadway, funky theater.  Their instrumentation and political banter is definitely modern yet their compositions involve various vintage styles.  Their catchy tunes hang with an air of theatrics and seriousness at the same time, verging on cheesy yet remaining rooted in musicality.  “Freddy Fink” hearkens the Dracula puppet opera from Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the lyrics telling a dark story about poor Freddy going on his final trip and knowing “damn well he won’t make it,” followed by a loaded guitar passage that leads into an awesome, chaotic breakdown where the synths build up in a very hairband kind of way.  Their blend of well-executed instrumental passages with over-the-top vocal delivery creates a sense of eerie foreshadowing, like something ridiculous and groundbreaking might explode onstage.  Their best tune, “Panic Attack,” has a more indie rock feel with vocal harmonies and a bouncy lilt throughout the verses.  But don’t worry, it still retains their flair for the dramatic.