Plumb the depths, descend the steps and maybe you can have it for your own." The lyrics to "Shine," the opening track on Hideout, Antenna's second album, could easily be describing guitarist-vocalist-songwriter John Strohm's change in musical direction since leaving Blake Babies, the band in which he took a creative back seat to frontperson Juliana Hatfield. With Antenna, Strohm has taken the...

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,...