Dave Chamberlain

Thirty seconds into Seachange's debut full-length, "Lay of the Land" (Matador), music obsessives with an anti-indie rock slant might roll their eyes as the drifting, gray "Anglokana" begins its slow build. But there's so much more to this record than the stereotypical bland that might infer--in fact, three minutes into said track, the band ably undoes its own milquetoast flavor with a dash of fuzzbomb rock and pugilistic vocals that recall everything from Blur to British Sea Power to the Cooper Temple Clause. Teeming with intricate but not overly complex melody and hooks, as well as ample referencing of all the major movements in contemporary rock (Interpol, Oceanize, Strokes, etc), Seachange proves itself able songwriters, even if they tend to over-shape the tracks through extended builds or lackluster (and cliché) layers. The clear highlight and example of Seachange's talent comes with "Glitterball," a driving, bitter Britpop track with a vocal refrain that's as melancholy as "Strangeways"-era Smiths and beatified by an understated, languishing violin that helps to subtly flesh out the track. There are numerous moments on the record for rock fans of all sorts (I'd swear they straight-up jacked abpk lead singer Justin Sinkovich's style on "AvsCo10"), and the disciplined variety makes this one of the best debuts I've heard in 2004.

Seachange plays April 26 at the Bottom Lounge, 3206 North Wilton, (773)975-0505; The Race opens.

(2004-04-22)

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