Nobody Knows This Is Everywhere
The phone number--the hotline to snitch on carpool violators in Washington state--unfortunately provides no clues as to why this unassuming Northwest rock band gets better with each new release. Having expanded to a trio on 1998'sGet Here and Stay, 764-HERO continue to batter their instruments with admirable power on the cheekily titledNobody Knows This Is Everywhere. Crammed with heartbreaking melodies and reflective lyrics ("You're overlooking skylines for a change," John Atkins sings on "Skylines"), the group is neither stylistically nor emotionally that far removed from Neil Young's sonic masterstroke,Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. On "Confetti Confessional" the group even grazes actual greatness, displaying equal measures of chops and indifference.--Aidin Vaziri