Field Studies : Quasi : Review : Rolling Stone

Quasi insinuated themselves into the public consciousness last year as touring partners for downhearted troubadour-turned-Oscar-nominee Elliott Smith. It was a perfect pairing for the Portland, Oregon, duo: Like Smith's songs, Quasi's quirky, organ-led pop evinces their love of the Beatles and the Beach Boys, yet shrouds itself in a dark cynicism that makes even their most musically upbeat songs dismal. On their fourth album, Field Studies, drummer Janet Weiss (also of Sleater-Kinney) and multi-instrumentalist Sam Coomes broaden what had been a rather insistent focus on Coomes' Roxichord keyboard pounding to include guitar- and piano-led interludes. The result is the band's most varied effort yet: a collection of clever pop songs whose lovely vocal melodies and lush sonic textures -- theremin, strings, even bass guitar -- make us hope that Coomes is just kidding when he sings, "This may be the year I will disappear." (RS 823)

JENNY ELISCU