Wide Eyed and Dreaming

Hailing from Australia, the quintet Sea Stories' 1991 release sounds very much like the alternative rock that was in favor on college radio before grunge took hold. Wide Eyed and Dreaming is dominated by the sound of sweeping keyboards and chiming guitars with the odd psychedelic organ passage. Singers Simon Honisett and Penny Hewson combine for some airy harmonies as well. It's all very pretty, but there's nothing that wasn't done as well by a slew of other bands during the time period from Cocteau Twins to the Ocean Blue. While tracks like "I Told Her So" and "Some Time Soon" are lovely, nothing resonates. The lack of dynamics (and lack of lyrical impact) makes it very easy to be lulled into semi-consciousness, a state that might be pleasant but doesn't make for anything memorable in the case of Wide Eyed and Dreaming.