Wonderfully Nothing

Album Review

While Adam Schlesinger was rocking out with Fountains of Wayne's Welcome Interstate Managers in summer 2003, his Ivy cohort Andy Chase went solo with Brookville. This lush, atmospheric project had been in the works for a few years, giving Chase ample time to shape a smooth sound on the intimately sheer collection titled Wonderfully Nothing that is not unlike his Ivy pop doings. Singer/songwriter Eric Matthews, guitarist James Iha, former Gigolo Aunts guitarist Jon Skibic, and a few others joined in Brookville's quest in crafting an artistic dreamscape, and with Chase as their guide, Wonderfully Nothing turned out to be an inviting stroke of work. Chase's expansive musical palate is clearly center; he keeps things at low sonic level as each song warmly enfolds. Downbeat bits are loosely wrapped around elements of trip-hop on songs like "Sample From Heaven" and "Beautiful View." Trumpets rise on "Home," highlighting Chase's signature summery feel. "Justine," a sweet, imaginative tribute named for his daughter, floats with jazz accents for Brookville's most fleshed-out effort. Wonderfully Nothing is stylishly inviting and ironically a different twist for Chase. Those who favor his work with Ivy will be delighted with Brookville, and for those unknowing listeners, Wonderfully Nothing will charm them just the same.