The Seymores: 1,000 lb. Grr'lla

The Pixies' long shadow has only recently begun to recede from the specter of '90s rock; the soft/loud dynamics of the band's jagged punk-pop could be heard in every song Kurt Cobain ever wrote, and spawned the angular indie-rock sound employed by hundreds of other acts. Now, with indie-rock fading into the background as all the math-club kids discover The Chemical Brothers and The Crystal Method, it's comforting to know that someone still remembers The Pixies. The members of The Seymores clearly remember them well, and their eight-song debut EP, 1,000 lb. Grr'lla, revisits The Pixies' heavy guitar-pop through melodic, well-crafted songs that swell with contrary emotions. Moving comfortably from the throbbing power-pop of "Sicker Than You" to the sad-sack ballad "Courtin' Days"—and then back to the exuberant pop of "Butternut"—lead singer David Fera finds endless levels of emotional upheaval in his limited voice, while the band keeps pace behind him. In less capable hands, "$2.75" would be an endlessly plodding dirge, but subtle flourishes like soothing falsetto harmonies, funereal organ drenches, and a mournful electric-guitar solo save it from such a fate. Only the album-closing cover of Joy Division's "No Love Lost" grasps too intentionally at irreverence, with washes of sloppy guitar noise and background chatter dragging Ian Curtis' gem through the mud. It's not worth crying over, however; The Seymores provide more reasons to cheer than grumble on this otherwise fine debut. Expect a full-length release later this spring.