Augustana, Lauren Shera

[SOFT ALT] Turn on the radio in 2009, and tune in to a small-town alt-rock station. Augustana’s hits, “Sweet and Low” and “Boston,” might get a few plays per day, but will be largely indistinguishable from other roots rock. It’s all catchy to young ears, but a little bipolar, with whining verses and wailing choruses. At times, it can be difficult to imagine Augustana’s music isn’t just more high-production, low-ranking Billboard drivel with aspirations set much higher than abilities. Releasing 2011’s self-titled album on AOL Music and another as an exclusive at Best Buy aren’t getting the band any brownie points, either. Unofficial band leaders Jordan Lamoureux and Dan Layus  weathered a serious change in the lineup in 2011, but the music is the same as when it was bleating from teens’ radios.  

Where: Doug Fir Lounge
Phone: 231-9663
Address: 830 E Burnside St.
Website: www.dougfirlounge.com