Signal Morning

Circulatory System's 2001 debut was basically the third album by Elephant 6 linchpins the Olivia Tremor Control, only with singer-songwriter Will Cullen Hart taking full creative control after the departure of his former musical partner Bill Doss. (The album even featured cover art that looked just like Hart's sleeves for OTC's previous albums.) Coming a full eight years later, Signal Morning is demonstrably a product of the recently rejuvenated Elephant 6 collective -- the credits list reads like a Who's Who, including both Doss and Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Mangum -- but those expecting a nostalgic return to the classic E6 sound may find themselves disappointed. Although nominally organized into two side-long suites (by Hart's new creative foil, Nesey Gallons), the modular construction and experimental sound collages of the Olivia Tremor Control albums are gone. These 17 songs are straightforward indie rock tunes, similar in sound and spirit to Broken Social Scene or The Shins (two bands overtly influenced by the classic Elephant 6 sound) and showcasing Hart's gift for creating unexpected pop hooks amidst densely-layered psychedelic noise. The title track and "This Morning (We Remembered Everything)" are particularly powerful.