Automatic Loveletter's debut full-length Truth or Dare can be received in two ways. The first: wholesome, predictable, pop-alicious lyrics present the band to listeners as a sweet, gummy bear. (Automatic Loveletter))’s front woman, Juliet Simms is enjoyable, scrumptious, and easy to gobble up. Teenage girls full of braces and feelings will flock to her emo lyrics about love and life. While listening to Truth or Dare I feel as though I’ve picked the unicorn lock on some poor adolescent girl’s Lisa Frank diary. One might contemplate sympathetically cringing or smiling while tapping a foot, singing into their hairbrush. Juliet’s voice provokes emotion, even with the cheesiest of lyrics. It’s no wonder her voice can be identified on tracks for the likes of LoveHateHero, Secondhand Serenade, and Cartel.

In listening further, the sweet, girlish lyrics reminiscent of bubble gum ballads can be too sugary at times. Just as cringe begins to overpower singing in your hairbrush, Juliet’s voice becomes more powerful. The second means of receiving Truth or Dare is with a biting edge. On some tracks, Juliet can even be grainy and gritty, offering relief for your sugar induced toothache. She balances sweet lyrics with more vocal attitude in “Fade Away.” This vocal take is the sour, grainy coating on a sour patch kid candy.

While much can be said about Ms. Simms’s voice, projection, lyrics, and attitude; her band members seem to stand in her shadow. Although musically a far car, I couldn’t help but think of Gwen Stefani’s poor band mates struggle for recognition, portrayed in “Don’t Speak.” Juliet is backed by her lead guitarist brother Tommy Simms, drummer Ryan Metcalf, and bassist Clint Fowler. Their talents seem to fall by the wayside as I can picture them scoffing and eye-rolling behind the scenes much like Stefani’s band mates in Tragic Kingom’s “Don’t Speak” video.

Automatic Loveletter’s Truth or Dare is a glimpse at early talent, with room for growth. Eating sweet and sour candy, while singing into your hairbrush, reading someone else’s diary isn’t a bad start.