Hibernation Solar Powered People's debut album, sounds like it was born in the subconscious minds of some very serious musicians. The album's dreamlike quality immerges out of the psychedelic "Child's Introduction" and continues throughout in the form of subtle, straightforward melodies, airy synths and rippled instrumentals. These rush in behind driving guitars to grab the listener and then retreat like a cold wave, leaving a heavier new feeling in its place. To these elements the band has added vocals that layer and resonate like they were sung into a shallow canyon. With studio touches from Matt McCord (who also worked with the Deftones, Team Sleep and Cake) the album emerges as the combined musical fantasy of this Modesto band.

The track "Awhile" is probably one of the best examples of the band's proclivity for shoegaze, featuring chords that seem to feed on themselves when the song breaks open into something deep, soaring and intense. The track sounds like it could blow out speakers even played at a low volume. Still the album is equally beautiful in its simple moments as in its moments of heavy orchestration. "Start the Cycle" features both, launching into heavier percussion halfway through what begins as a soft melody; meanwhile "Turn Back" is entirely slow, lingering thoughtfully through notes like an early Enya instrumental. The album's single "Picture Fade" sounds like a reflection of heartbreak, with lyrics that mirror the song's melancholy, reverberating notes.

Finally, Chris Woodhouse (who also worked with the Deftones, Team Sleep, and Cake) uses studio touches to tie together the album's various aspects, bringing the aural dream into reality. (Three Ring Records)

www.solarpoweredpeople.com

-Lulu McAllister