The Changes - 'Today is Tonight'

Chicago’s The Changes want you to get up and dance. Not an ironic Electric Six dance epidemic, or an awkward Pixies shamble, but a simple, fun, jubilant dance. One of two signees to the new record label Drama Club Records, along with the indie/electronica band Paper Route, The Changes have managed to accomplish quite a bit. In 2005, they were the only unsigned band to take the stage at Lollapalooza, and have since garned a decent amount of buzz from NME, USA Today and the oh-so-finicky Pitchfork.

While most indie pop bands try to rehash Radiohead, The Changes go their own route, combining pop, soul, R&B, rock and just a dash of disco to create their stunning full-length debut, Today is Tonight.

The self-produced album opens with the infectious organs of “When I Wake.” It’s sort of a new wave/new romantic kind of track, but possesses the kind of pop craftsmanship exemplified by The Beatles. The keys provide atmosphere, but the song is propelled by peppy drums and guitars. “When I Wake” is a dreamy confection, and a solid introduction to the band.

“On a String” steps down on the pep a bit, creating a tune on par with anything Death Cab for Cutie has created. Elsewhere, “Water of the Gods” brings things back to full-on ’60s pop perfection, complete with “whoas” and handclaps over Cure-like guitar work.

“Sisters,” meanwhile, tries out a different kind of dance style, with a more funkified drum beat and a soulful piano part. This is the ideal wedding song for underground hipsters, with loving lyrics like “We’re together again, after so long. The beating of a heart beats for one song” to let your thrift store-loving significant other know that he and/or she is your one and only.

Later, tracks “House of Style,” “Modern Love” and “The Machine” blissfully return to the pace of “When I Wake,” with the moody disco theme of “Twilight” interjecting some variety among the three.

While most of Today is Tonight is composed of tight pop songwriting, The Changes reveal they can loosen up and jam for a bit on “Her, You and I.” It’s the longest song on the album, clocking in at over six minutes, but it’s still just as infectious as the other 11 tracks. Sexy, rollicking drums mix with some dirty guitar licks to create a sweaty, throbbing rising action for Today is Tonight. The mellow finale, “When I Sleep,” brings the album around to completion.

On Today is Tonight, The Changes manage to merge the pop classicism of The Smiths with the radio-ready tunefulness and hopeful earnestness of The Cure. It’s Staring at the Sea, only The Changes managed to make it on their first try. Every track here could be a single as is, except for “Her, You and I,” but only because of length restrictions. A thrilling debut, Today is Tonight is sure to please indie pop fans.