Singer and guitarist Matthew Rolin was a member of the indie-rock bands Poor Sailor and Casual Encounters before forming Shoreway. And despite his aspirations to keep the project on the casual side, the band's debut is a sharp-sounding affair. Just give it a minute: Three Years opens with the 52-second "Lights," which recalls all those half-finished Guided by Voices songs. But Rolin and Shoreway pick up considerably after that. "Winter Sunrise," "Seeing Red," and "Daylight Dream" mix R.E.M.-style guitar jangle with murmured vocals. Rolin's limitations as a singer are apparent on a couple of songs ("Plum City," "Blur"), but Three Years is a mostly promising debut. — Jeff Niesel
Shoreway open for Free Energy at 9 p.m. Friday, July 15, at the Beachland Tavern.
Tickets are $10, available at beachlandballroom.com.
