As a self-proclaimed music geek, I dig music. I dig all kinds of music, in fact. However, if one genre defined being a nerd, it would be the dreaded genre referred to as emo. Initially, emo was a post-hardcore movement for tough guys who had a softer side. Then it became more associated with the 90's pop-punk surge. Now, emo has become a term that most artists shy away from due to the stigma of being associated with commercially successful pop-punk bands that critics find repulsively generic like Good Charlotte and Simple Plan. It has been rare for bands to embrace themselves as being emo in the past few years (other than, now defunct unashamed dork rock outfit, Piebald).

Not since listening to The Anniversary in high school have I enjoyed an emo song with female lead vocals as much as the opening track on Cruiserweight's Rocks the Moon. The track, entitled "Balboa", packs the same type of musical punch as an Anniversary song like "All Things Ordinary". The beautifully crafted pop backdrop provides the perfect canvas for leader singer Stella to paint her story of the underdog rising up to beat the odds. More than a girl power anthem, "Balboa" seems to be a track for all of us nerds that see ourselves showing the naysayers once and for all.

The EP only has two more tracks after the opener: "Sustainer" and a cover of Tom Petty's "American Girl". "Sustainer", a slower song that reminds me of the emo-pop stylings of Rocking Horse Winner, is a perfect song to be featured on the next episode of One Tree Hill or any MTV reality soap opera.

One must consider the final track as an ambitious move for a band that is releasing there first EP on a label… a cover of an American classic by one of the poet laureates of rock and roll. For what it is, the track is solid. I'm not totally sure I'd have included a cover on a debut release, but even so it's a solid cover. The cover brings nothing new and/or exciting to the table, but sometimes staying true to the original spirit is more important when covering a classic.

Overall, Cruiserweight's Rocks the Moon is a 3 song debut with spunk and vigor. Cruiserweight is an emo band with a cute lead singer; how can a nerd go wrong? And with such an infectious hook, you will be singing along to "Balboa" whether or not you want to… "I'm Balboa, I'm taking names, You know you made me this way."

3 out of 5 stars.