The Morning Line combines jangly pop melodies, washes of fuzzed-out guitar, stark piano lines drenched in reverb, and ragged three-chord rock-n-roll . . . sometimes within a single song. Uniting it all is a sense of sadness and world-weariness. The songs' introspective lyrics map a terrain of self-doubt, romantic disillusionment, and lost opportunities, all presented with the kind of awareness that comes only with experience.

The Morning Line has arrived at its sound after years spent by its players in diverse other projects:

Stephen Smith, who plays guitar and sings, was a part of Boston's Salem 66, on the label that more or less invented indie rock -- Homestead Records. He later played with Green Magnet School and God's Eye, making records on the Sub Pop and Rough Trade labels.

Drummer David Shollenbarger was the long-time touring drummer for seminal west coast punk rockers, Agent Orange. He also played in Blood On The Saddle, one of the originators of L.A. "cowpunk."

The band also features David Knupp on guitar and keyboards, and Marco Baroz on bass. Both were members of Joe Buck, one of the earlier and best-regarded bands out of San Francisco's alt-country scene.