Denali

For 10 years, Jade Tree has been releasing topnotch independent music. The label brought us Jets to Brazil and onelinedrawing, which is why Denali’s debut CD is so disappointing. You’d think that Mark Linkous and Alan Weatherhead of Sparklehorse would have better taste—Linkous produced two tracks, and Weatherhead engineered the album. Not that Denali is necessarily bad—it’s just so darned commercial. Maura Davis’ vocals are, technically, quite good, but they’re boring. And the explosions of guitars that occur perhaps come on just a bit too often. The band makes unrepentantly anthemic, hooky rock. Think of Sarah McLaughlin fronting My Bloody Valentine: clean, polished, perfect—perhaps a little too perfect. Denali produces just the type of songs you might expect to hear on 100.5 but not the kind you’d expect from your favorite indie label. Yes, they’ll probably be famous one day …