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Modern rock meets classic rock on Here Come the Selmanaires.  This Atlanta-based garage rock group melds seemingly unrelated sounds (often within the same track) to form a cohesive disc that is one of the better unknowns I've heard this year. 

"Selmanaire Rock" sets the tone for the remainder of the album.  A mostly instrumental   piece, it mixes the ethereal guitar sounds of Pink Floyd with the simple but effective rhythm section of Johnny Cash.  This method flows seamlessly into "All I Really Want to Know," which meshes symphonic rock a la Moody Blues with punk anthem icons The Clash. 

"Cerulean Sky" is a tribute to the Who's "I Can See for Miles," and "LMN06" sounds like surf rock as fronted by Elvis Costello.   "High Tide" creates an oxymoron to fans of 80's college rock – picture a melodic version of Violent Femmes.  "In the Direction of Yes" recalls Lou Reed in his Velvet Underground days.   

In a land barren with prepackaged pop and nu metal copycats controlling the airwaves, The Selmanaires are much welcome.   This is one of the first groups I've heard in quite some time that would fit in well on college rock, modern rock, and the AAA formatted stations without skipping a beat.  

Brian A. Smith
21 July 2006