The influences are obvious, but Brendan Wixted has a sound that is his own. With a warbling voice, Alarm Clock Radiation finds the Model School’s voice, instrumentation and guiding force unleashing an album that, in truth, probably comes before it’s ready to be done.

The problem is consistency: when Alarm Clock Radiation is good, it’s very, very good. As such, songs like the opener “One Way Ticket” and the loop-filled “Sweet Tooth” are particularly strong, while “Smile” is a pretty pop tune too. The difference between these songs, and others, is enormous though.

“Imitation Slips Away” is a more aggressive number, while “Into My Arms Again” is a clever little number, with a more instant hook and a memorable chorus. Elsewhere “Fireworks & Flags” are far gentler, more contemplative affairs, but displays the strength of Wixted’s songwriting cleanly and clearly.

Alarm Clock Radiation feels like the sort of album that has been assembled over the course of time, rather than in one cohesive session. Nevertheless, there’s a sense that this is the sort of album that will merely be a beginning step for Wixted, and allow him the opportunity to take his music to the next level.