Trampoline

Light, picked guitar signatures in an early R.E.M. style are set off by unusual basslines, a high-pitched squeezebox accordion, and simple, rhythmic drumming to create unobtrusive pop. Over and under such playful preoccupation, vocalist Italia sounds like one-third Joni Mitchell, one-third Juliana Hatfield, and one-third Ani DiFranco (her gruff tones). And just when you think you have Chigger pegged, the guitar turns nastier and drummer John Nyboer smashes the cymbal with impunity. Next thing you know, an icy church organ makes a cameo. The songs could be much stronger, and the direction needs to be way more defined; on this indie debut, they don't sound like they know who they are. But at least they know who they aren't: like everybody else.