They may be named after a song from Odessey and Oracle, but don't expect Zombies-style orchestral pop from this Midwestern foursome: sheets of guitar alternately diaphanous and feedback-drenched, diffident male/female vocals buried so low in the mix they might as well not be singing actual words and an oddly prominent drummer are the main tools of their trade. Things get most interesting on songs like "Bridge of Sighs" and "Westward," where nearly-symphonic swells of heavily-processed guitar noise overwhelm the indie-drone songs, as if a Yo La Tengo rehearsal session was suddenly overrun by members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Much of the rest of the album is shoegazer-ish dream pop in a sub-My Bloody Valentine style: pleasant but rather anonymous, although more appealing when Jenifer Boniger is singing lead instead of Kevin Dixon. However, big ups for the oddly faithful all-guitar version of A Flock of Seagulls' "Space Age Love Song," which proves my long-held contention that Paul Reynolds' guitar parts were by far the most interesting part of that band's sound.
(Date of release: March 28, 2006)
