Infinity Caller

Brooklyn's Grooms, like many young groups, have been seeking their own voice in a scene where guitars are often considered passé or, at the very best, limited instruments. At his day job, Grooms guitarist Travis Johnson explores the art of creating guitar effect pedals to help himself and others grow their sound. Surely the extra textures surrounding a tune like “Sleep Detective” make it clear that the band knows the value of strong melodies and cohesive performances as much as killer tones. Bassist Emily Ambruso brings strong lines and a dreampop touch when it’s her turn on the mic (“Iskra Goodbye”). When it comes to covers, Grooms fake out the ‘60s crowd with their own song called “I Think We’re Alone Now” and celebrate the ‘80s alternative nation with a disembodied cover of Hüsker Dü’s “Something I Learned Today.” Elsewhere, as on "Completely," elements of Hüsker Dü and Grooms' other influences are further scattered; just when it sounds like you know where they’re coming from, they reconfigure their attack.