Indy pop bands: is it possible to forge a retro sound decidedly your own, all the while wearing your influences proudly on your collared black shirt? Bell Hollow seem to believe so. Dream-poppers, shoe-gazers, and lovers of early 80's college rock: do yourselves a favor. Pick up a copy of Bell Hollow’s second album, Foxgloves, pop it into your soon-to-be-antiquated disc player, and join the Brooklyn-based quartet as they take you on a twenty five year dream-pop voyage in 42 minutes.

Foxgloves’ ten tracks go by fast, but the songs are so deep and so inviting that you’ll want to restart the album as soon as its finished. There’s a lot to be enjoyed here, and, surely, Bell Hollow has created something which reveals more of itself with each listen. Bask in the Britly goodness of opening track, “Seven Sisters.” Driven by vocalist Nick Niles’ piano and a batch of clean, three note guitar riffs (provided by the talented Greg Fasolino), it’s a great introduction to the album. The song is comprised of a few simple, economical parts. The beauty is in how the basic pieces come together - colored with more than a dash of nostalgic reverb - to form a very dense, very lush finished product.

“Seven Sisters” gives way to the slithery sound of “Our Water Burden.” The rhythm section of Christopher Bollman and Todd Karasik (bass and drums, respectively) are doing some excellent work here, forming a rock solid wall behind the melodic guitar and vocal work. By the time you get to the lovely, two-part vocal harmony in the song’s chorus, Bell Hollow will have you remembering everything you loved about 80's alterna-pop.

In the forefront of much of the album is Nick Niles’ signature tenor. Though it’s a sound very identifiable as Niles’ own, it has obvious roots in the British rock of 25 years ago. Touches of Morrissey and David Gahan are heard, and the album’s most haunting moments come in those rare instances when Niles allows his register to wander into falsetto territory. Specifically, there’s the chorus of “Jamais Vu.” And just look at those vexing lyrics! (“With my mother’s concentration / I can stare for a thousand years at / Anything you put in front of me.”) It may be the most inspired track on the album, and it’s certainly the catchiest.

The lyricism of Foxgloves, like its music, is understated and powerful, simple, and yet, deceptively so. Take the title track as proof: “Delicious sadness / She likes to wash it down with wine / The kind that comes in boxes.” It’s not a morose or even overly sad tone embodied by Niles’ words. Instead, the lyrics take on a moodiness appropriate for the tune’s sound. You’re left wondering about this girl, and what’s brought her to this point.

Bell Hollow has a signature sound and, if you don’t listen to the album a few times, you might not realize the subtleties which set some of its songs apart. Foxgloves really isn’t a one trick pony. There are slow, proudly somber tracks, and there are more upbeat offerings, as well. “Copper Crayon” - which is currently the album’s most downloaded track on iTunes - owes a debt to Boys Don’t Cry-era Cure, and this is definitely not a bad thing!

Bollman and Karasik, ultimately, set the mood for each song. Another high point for the album is the rocking “Storm’s End.” The bass and drums take over here, winking knowingly at the work done by U2's Clayton / Mullen on War. Shades of another major Bell Hollow influence, The Chameleons, come out on “The Bottle Tree.” After this track (the closest the record comes to being aggressive) ends, Foxgloves is brought to a slinky, bassy close with “Lowlights.”

There are plenty of other memorable moments to speak of on Bell Hollow's sophomore album, but it’s really something that needs to be experienced to be appreciated. You can read, for instance, about the way the song, “Foxgloves,” builds to such a dramatic close that you’d swear you’re seeing the band live. But, then again, how does simply reading justify that?

A fan of The Smiths, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Depeche Mode, et al? Then you’ll really dig this record.

4 cheap shots out of 5 for Bell Hollow’s latest.
Stand Out Tracks:
“Jamais Vu”
“Foxgloves”
“Getting On In Years”

Head on over to http://www.myspace.com/bellhollow.