Remember when you were a kid and you would go on those field trips to the planetarium. You would count down the days until you could rightfully miss class to see a jubilee of lights and stars. Then you got there and it promptly sets in that its nothing more than a glorified light bright, and you’re still being forced to learn against your will. Therefore, you are, by definition, practically still in school and it sucks because you just have to piss but you’re not allowed out of your seat. Yeah, Delphic is sort of like that.

Others, however, in the UK feel differently about the Manchester, England natives. Quite the contrary, the trio have been put on the shortlist of the Sound of BBC 2010 since they popped up in April 2009 when they released the dreamy synth single, Counterpoint. The track managed to draw followers who tirelessly prayed to the electro-rock heavens that this be the group that rockets the UK out of its current indie slump and back to the forefront. Nine months later they returned with the EP, Doubt, which resulted in more critical mouth watering, and after another six months we are left here today with a slouch attempt at a techno/rock/electronica melting pot with their debut album, Acolyte.

What needs to be understood is that Delphic hasn’t completely failed. Each song is stylish and clean thanks to producer Ewan Pearson, and they have taken on a bit of a daunting task, so let’s give credit where credit is due. To attempt to morph so many different styles into one glimmering disco ball of dance-rock synergy isn’t easy (see Julian Casablanca’s Phrazes for the Young). However, this is not a band making a crossover. They have no previous wins or losses in any one genre, so they have no excuse for recording fifty-two minutes of boredom.

Acolyte does enjoy a few glimpses of rescue with tracks like “Doubt,” but the rest of the album is bloated with bland bits of techno destined for the background of a future Nissan commercial. And that is Delphic’s main problem, they have no edge. Despite heart racing rhythms every song lacks urgency. Sure, they’ve welded some genres, but they’ve given us no memorable material.

The thing is the Brits really lose their shit over these guys, so there must be some type of lingering attraction about them. I’ve heard they put on a good live show, and to be honest I wouldn’t doubt it. Under the proper circumstances I’m sure Delphic could provide the foundation for a descent evening out/rave, which is now possible as they have signed on to a coast to coast U.S. tour with The Temper Trap. However, until they can win the American crowd over by coming to a city near you; don’t salivate over these doldrums like our neighbors across the pond. Throw one of their early singles on a mix CD and consider yourself lucky they don’t play this at the planetarium…yet.