Long Gone and Nearly There

Ten songs totaling just over 25 minutes in length, the debut album from D.C.-based quartet Julie Ocean makes a case for fast over fatuous, poppy over prog, and concise over complicated. The record is underpinned by a taut, frenetic energy reminiscent of Dag Nasty and The Descendents, is infused with the casual chaos of primetime Guided By Voices and Pavement and contains undeniable elements of sweet 60s pop coupled with the searing melodicism of late 70s heroes The Jam and The Undertones (from whom the band takes its name).

The band consists of several well-known D.C. indie veterans including guitarist/singer Jim Spellman, a member of 90s alterna-faves Velocity Girl, who released three top selling albums on the Sub Pop label. Other bandmembers include ex-members of The Saturday People (Slumberland Records), Tree Fort Angst (Bus Stop), Glo-Worm (K Records), Swiz, Severin (Dischord) and the post-Government Issue outfit, Weatherhead.