The Changes - Today Is Tonight

What I tell anyone who listens to Today Is Tonight by Chicago’s The Changes for the first time is this: "Just get past the opening seconds of the first track." The reason I say this is because the opening tinkling on “When I Wake” can be a bit much for a first impression, as there is nothing in which to ground it. And for a first impression, it’s pretty hit or miss. But after you get past that first few seconds, and you will find that there is hardly a misstep on the full-length debut by this thoughtful and talented quartet. For a first record, they seem to have done just about everything right. Singer/guitarist Darren Spitzer and lead guitarist Dave Rothblatt trade vocals on the twelve tracks gracing the album. And the harmonies throughout are spotless. Rounding out the sound as equal partners are bassist Rob Kallick and drummer Jonny Basofin. But the real signature of the band is the keyboards, which are pervasive on the album. They lend a sparkling quality to the songs, a lilting that can pick you up one minute, as in “On a String,” and break your heart the next, like they do on “In the Dark.” The song “Her, You and I” is one of the bands oldest songs, and it’s easy to see why it stands the test of time. It opens methodically, combining keys and guitar plucking. Then the vocals come in softly. The sound builds, and you can’t wait to hear where it’s going. The steady progression, every increasing drums, a little more guitar, a little more desperate vocals…. When it finally all crashes down together 6+ minutes later, you feel exhausted and elated – the way you should feel after you’ve just heard a great song. Bookending the album is the delicate “When I Sleep.” Yeah, this disc is pretty much power-pop perfection. Need I say more? [www.the-changes.com]