Citizens Here and Abroad

Waving, Not Drowning (Turn)

By Liz Schroeter
Published: November 18th, 2006 | 10:45am

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Taking a shoegazey note from Ride and Jesus and Mary Chain, San Francisco’s Citizens Here and Abroad surround the listener with fuzzed-out guitars and spacey melodies. This classic combination is also updated by their peppy yet dark guitar work (think Bloc Party or Interpol). Sure, these styles are hardly groundbreaking these days, but what set Citizens apart is Adrienne Robillard’s up-front female vocals and the dizzying interplay with fellow singer Chris Groves. Not to mention the unexpected hints of xylophone!

While Robillard’s vocals are breathy, she delivers them with punch, and more so than ever on Waving, Not Drowning, the band’s second full-length release. So rather than sounding aloof and psychedelic, Citizens have the grit of more down-home, ‘90s indie bands like Jejune or early Rainer Maria. Though it occasionally walks the line of amateurish, most of the time this simple quality makes their sound especially charming.

The album’s opener, “Stranger”, is a highlight as is the grungy number “Deer in the Headlights”. However, the listener may get the feeling that there is more to come from this band; perhaps more depth or girth to their songwriting to help set these tunes apart. In particular if you have heard their debut Ghosts of Tables and Chairs, this sophomore release could leave you impatient for something more. Nevertheless, anyone who appreciates distorted guitars, vocal harmonies, and female-fronted rock bands that succeed in being edgy without sounding bitchy will find something to love on Waving, Not Drowning. 6