Strange

One of the more bizarre Brit-pop phenomena, Ether released their debut LP in the summer of 1998. While it wasn't a huge commercial seller, several singles became mildly popular and the band developed a respectable fan base. Strange recalls the glory days of Squeeze and late-era Beatles more than it recalls the Brit-pop movement of the mid-1990s. The melodies, are, like the title of the disc, strange. Rory Meredith's lead vocals are off-kilter and nasal, which gives the group a distinctive sound at times -- and at others is merely annoying. The second half of the album labors too long and is chock full of filler, too, making it a promising yet blemished debut. The singles, like "Wasting Time" and "If You Really Want to Know," are truly the highlights. ~ Jason Damas