Is it too early for shoegazer nostalgia? As the New Wave resurrection continues to build steam in the U.K. and even in the U.S. with the mammoth success of the Killers and Franz Ferdinand, the eventual revival of genre spin-off dream-pop shouldn't be far behind.
To Cerulean's credit the Los Angeles-based group (http://www.ceruleanmusic.com) has been swimming in the waters of guitar swirl for a number of years now, traveling in the path abandoned by pioneers such as Ride, Swervedriver, and Catherine Wheel, the latter two seeming to have the largest impact on the band.
Vocalist Rick Bolander recalls both Rob Dickinson of Catherine Wheel and Swervedriver's Adam Franklin. However, Cerulean manages to avoid the excesses of the two and really shoegazer acts in general. There aren't any tracks here that meander into a cloud of psychedelic smoke; the songs are compact and radio-friendly, given a pop sheen by co-producer David Newton, former guitarist of the Mighty Lemon Drops.
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Too often groups of this sort would get lost in their own dreaminess, lose focus as effects pedals are exploited and bled dry. Thankfully, Cerulean's tracks move forward without taking long glances at the scenery. Songs such as "Stop Running" and "Hi Riser" propel themselves briskly. And there really isn't a boring moment on the LP. It's a blast and not just a blast from the past.
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