A Drawing of a Memory of a Photograph of You

Space Mtn

While not quite the thrill-a-minute ride you might expect, Space Mtn nevertheless populate their debut record with a solid set of guitar pop songs and indie angst, fueled by the charm and lyrical chops of lead singer Dina Waxman. She spreads the melancholy on thick but never stares too deeply into her own navel, like Throwing Muses without the eerily poetic subtext. There are other reference points too; dashes of The Cardigans and The Spinanes murmur noticeably in the background. But Waxman and her band mix up the dynamics and moods enough to avoid easy comparisons and the diversity of the music keeps the record fresh. While their variety gives them personality, it creates new problems as well. After the easy buzz of songs like "Hovercraft", it's tough to come all the way down to the second half of the record, which is heavy on pretty but less-focused ballads ("Mercy River" and "Seals"). Still, the melodic core is true, and you'll find more than a few unexpected twists and turns to enjoy. -Matthew Cooke

A Drawing of a Memory of a Photograph of You Album: