Lead singer Stephen Pedersen seems to be going through a therapy session rather than making a rock album.

But is Criteria trying to make a rock album? More likely the band is attempting to reveal deep-down, scary, emotional details through the medium of slashing electronic guitar parts, piercing drum beats and a faintly audible bass guitar.

It's not quite emo, and the heavy guitar riffs don't evoke any reason to "shoe gaze." To get right down to it: Criteria sounds like a bunch of suburban boys finding an alternative to working for "The Man."

The underground Detroit music scene is trying to revive classic rock, but Criteria is part of the Omaha, Neb. underground scene — hence being on the Saddle Creek label — where it's important to share personal pain. But the problem with Criteria's agony is the band's sinister critique on society isn't really that unique.

The emphasis is definitely on the lyrics. A desolate message about the problems with the corporate world runs throughout the band's second full-length release — "When We Break."

On the first track — "Prevent the World" — Pedersen is pointing out the pitfalls of being a lawyer and the advantages to being in an indie rock band. "I'm stuck in a basement world/Where even if I try to make rock my living, it wouldn't coincide/So how do I reconcile six years of life/With the rational urges."

Criteria hasn't quite broken away from the normal hum-drum of American society, so the album is very appropriately titled "When We Break." It's almost like Criteria is trying to talk itself into dedicating a life to music.

Right now, it's just an average band with an average message about the dullness of the world around it. Hopefully Criteria is ready to make the plunge into a full-fledged career in music with its next release.

The wall of sound with guitar clamor, mediocre lyrics and standard drum din is a reflection of the band's internal debate: What do we want to focus our lives on?

When the answer is to generate original, thought-provoking tunes, Criteria will make an impact on the underground scene. Right now, it doesn't offer uniqueness and doesn't paddle far from other indie bands.

Next Monday — April 3 — Criteria will perform in Lansing at The Temple Club, 500 E. Grand River Ave., in the Red Light Lounge. The show is for 18 and older and tickets are $8 in advance.