[2.5/5]
Albums like Beautiful Targets-earnestly rocking in a few different modes, yet despite great effort only attaining something slightly above mediocrity-have always been abundant. They're destined to go mostly ignored upon their release and then quickly slink into deserved oblivion. There's nothing terribly bad or offensive about Hopewell's music; nor is there anything about it that excites. Critics often dub Hopewell "psychedelic," but to anyone who's experienced the real deal (Boredoms, Psychic Paramount, Black Dice, et al.), Hopewell are about as trippy as a jar of mayonnaise. They never go as far out as a head stoked for serious expansion would like. Beautiful Targets rocks harder than latter-day Mercury Rev (Hopewell leader Jason Russo's alma mater), but it's still awash in songs neither melodically exceptional nor emotionally powerful. (TEE PEE) Dave Segal
 Official Website: http://www.teepeerecords.com
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