Pipe Dreams

Ever since the early '90s, many shoegaze-inclined American bands have tried to contend and compete with the likes of Ride, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Swervedriver, and Chapterhouse (to name a few). And with identically muted vocals, blissed-out guitar distortion, and sonic walls of sound, several stateside bands have come close—except where the consistent quality of songwriting is concerned. Northern California’s Whirr could be the first band to qualify. Its 2012 album Pipe Dreams opens with “Reverse,” where a prerequisite guitar delay undulates through blankets of reverb as ethereal female vocals coo at a barely audible volume. But then the song bursts open with melodic guitar riffs, setting the stage for a memorable listening experience. “Junebouvier” is so catchy that it nearly sounds like power pop disguised as dream-pop. And anyone who appreciated the punk approach to the faster tunes on MBV’s Isn’t Anything will feel at home with “Bogus.” The slower “Flashback” boasts impressive guitar effects, but the band doesn't let such bells and whistles take center stage when there’s a beautifully sung melody to embrace.