A 764-Hero recording would fit quite nicely in your CD changer alongside melancholy indie-rockers Galaxie 500, Low and Codeine, but this rainy-day Seattle band administers a lot more kick. "Get Here and Stay" synchronizes reverb-soaked guitar, graceful bass and merciless drumming for 10 unusual combinations of moody dirges and upbeat indie rock.
Formerly a duo, 764-Hero members John Atkins (guitar/vocals) and Polly Johnson (drums) added a bassist and enlisted as engineer Modest Mouse producer Phil Elk to record their second full-length. The only sore spots on "Get Here and Stay" are Atkins' lyrics -- they're too vague and personal for universal appeal. Still, the power of the music more than makes up for it. And after their brief tour with Sunny Day Real Estate, 764-Hero will be the most-dialed number in town.
