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. ~ MacKenzie Wilson