Vocals, Guitar: Beaux Davis Bass: Tom Harris, Steve Torres Drums: Joe Nemcik Produced and engineered by Mike Iacuessa In 2003, the San Jose, Calif.-based Chant finally set out to follow up its successful New Evolution album only to face a major setback - bassist Tom Harris was involved in what would prove to be a fatal motorcycle accident. The prodigious Harris, once featured in Bassist Magazine, had played alongside singer/guitar player Beaux Davis and drummer Joe Nemcik since 1991. The power trio had developed chemistry playing on bills with Chris Isaak, the Psychedelic Furs, Modern English, Love and Rockets, The Church, Craig Chaquico and the Travis Larson Band. Much of that chemistry is evident in You Can Fly, Beer Run and Come An Inch Closer, all the result of a rehearsal for the 2003 Garlic Festival in Davis' hometown of Gilroy. The rehearsal was done at the historical Hyde Street Studios with two-inch tape running. After some session bass players were brought in to finish the rest of the album, the band eventually settled on Steve Torres, a fixture on the San Jose scene and longtime fan of the band. The remaining tracks, while more studio based, are an ambitious lot in terms of arrangements and direction. Overall, the band's sound is bigger, heavier and edgier than its previous material, which had progressed over time from goth, to alternative rock. Even the previously released You Can Fly is a heavier uptempo version of its dreamy predecessor. While the albums' rise was thwarted by the changes, it is a lost jewel. Davis, normally a classic busker guitar player, nonetheless traverses through a variety of creative sounds - by the fifth track, one is still wondering what to expect next. Davis' chemistry with Nemcik is still evident and the band chose its studio bassists well. -Wired Gypsy