Swallowed by the Sun

Chronique

Swallowed By the Sun shows Chicago's Sweeder to be a trio capable of both achieving the aching, gorgeous, catchy heights of indie pop's promise and treading water in its inherent, affected dissonance. They spend as much time in the heights (or at least getting there) as they do looking backwards for inspiration. Drummer Chiyoko Yoshida lets her voice tremble just enough as it makes its poetic declarations and ruminations (and, as on "Thread and Wire" and "All I Can Be," doubles the vocals for dazzling effect). Jeff Carleton's versatile guitar sets the tone -- from rocking-out to spacing-out to hanging-out. Bassist Julie Liu not only keeps the rhythm spacious, but also adds violin and viola flavor to the mix (Carleton for his part pulls duty on keyboards and organ). Sweeder is adept at playing with dynamics and conjuring up the right soundscape. When they are on (as on the lead track "Moon" and "Sfity"), they're something to write your friends about. When they're not, they at least provide adequately introspective aural wallpaper for journaling at the coffeehouse.
© Chris Handyside /TiVo