From power chords to wah-wah frenzy to gorgeous lead work, Sway is a celebration of six-string versatility. Having written all but two of this debut's thirteen cuts, John Strohm heads up Antenna – and while his playing demonstrates all the aptitude he achieves in his regular gig as guitarist for Blake Babies, his new band packs considerably more punch. Strohm favors a clean, edgy style, recalling Television's Tom Verlaine; his '68 Les Paul operates like a laser. Vess Ruhtenberg provides counterpoint – merrily effects-crazy, he feeds his guitar through all manner of gizmos, coming up sometimes with psychedelia, sometimes with classic rock & roll crunch. Blakes drummer Freda keeps things from coming unglued, her steadiness juxtaposing well with Jake Smith's melodic bass lines.

Antenna also uses sitar, keyboards and violin (by former Mellencamp regular Lisa Germano), but unlike many instrumentally adventurous combos, this one has tunes, vocals and humor enough to keep from sounding like technique freaks. "Delta 88," a thinking person's "Born to Be Wild," starts Sway up; that song finds its match in the album's closer, "Blood Red," a jam-fest featuring three guest guitarists alongside Strohm and Ruhtenberg. In between there's pop ("Girl Who Fell to Earth"), acoustic balladry ("Cast Away Demons") and full-out funk ("Say a Prayer"). Strohm's vocals are easy and credible and his way with a lyric ("The light from the camera's flashing now/The wisdom's there for the asking how") deft.

Impressively, too, Antenna displays a nifty grasp of music history. Quoting sources as diverse as the Rolling Stones' "I Just Want to See His Face" and Jimmy Webb's "MacArthur Park," the band is slyly allusive, casually knowing. Pop this smart – and fun – deserves exposure.

Sway is available from Mammoth Records, Carr Mill, Carrboro, NC 27510. (RS 618)

PAUL EVANS