All the Stars and Boulevards [Digipak] (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Dan Layus (vocals, guitar, piano); Josiah Rosen (vocals, guitar); Jared Palomar (vocals, keyboards); Brendan O'Brien (slide guitar, mandolin, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Justin South (drums, percussion).

Audio Mixer: Brendan O'Brien.

Recording information: SOuthern Tracks Recording, Atlanta, GA.

Illustrator: John Craig.

Photographer: Douglas Avery.

Although Augustana's debut, ALL THE STARS & BOULEVARDS, didn't prove to be terribly successful upon its initial release in 2005, the album's re-issue in late '06 found the Los Angeles-based alternative-rock band garnering a wider audience. With its soaring piano-heavy anthems (see the majestic "Boston"), the group, led by plaintive-voiced frontman Dan Layus, has an appeal similar to that of the U.K. ensemble Keane, albeit with a more accessible sound and a distinctly American sheen.

A four-piece group from L.A., Augustana combine the introspective grittiness of American guitar rock (think the Wallflowers and Counting Crows) with the wide-angle theatrics of U.K. guitar/piano rock (think Radiohead before they went nuts or a less epic Coldplay). Their debut major label album, All the Stars and Boulevards, feels like it was concocted in a record label boardroom. That's not to say that it was or that all plans hatched in that manner are inherently wrong. The album is still listenable in a strange kind of way, particularly as perfect background music. ~ Tim Sendra

A four-piece group from L.A., Augustana combine the introspective grittiness of American guitar rock (think the Wallflowers and Counting Crows) with the wide-angle theatrics of U.K. guitar/piano rock (think Radiohead before they went nuts or a less epic Coldplay). That may sound interesting, but their debut major label album, All the Stars and Boulevards, is a fairly hollow exercise that feels like it was concocted in a record label boardroom. That's not to say that it was or that all plans hatched in that manner are inherently wrong. It just points to the elements (originality, excitement, soul) that are missing from Augustana. From the overly processed guitars to singer Dan Layus' simultaneously bland and over-emoted vocals to the slickness of the melodies and the clichéd authenticity of the perfectly crafted arrangements, there isn't much to sink your teeth into here. Even for fans of the bands Augustana are so obviously influenced by, they will feel like they are listening to a third- or fourth-generation Xerox copy. All that said, the album is still listenable in a strange kind of way since the lack of any distinguishing features allows the music to be perfect background music. Sort of like elevator AOR. Sort of like a wasted 40 minutes. ~ Tim Sendra minimize