FLASHLIGHT: A Closer Look At… Surrogate

Softspoken and airy, the Surrogate philosophy seems to reside more in space and atmosphere than in density. These former members of the band Number One Gun have come up with something special here, with an indie rock flavor that will add light to any sullen context. Think The Fire Theft minus the dirge.

Vocalist Christopher Keene seems to have found his niche vocally in this tasteful display of mood. Trust me on this one — you will enjoy listening to this if you like soothing sounds. True to their form and desire to whisk the listener away even for just a brief period of time, they sing, “Forget about the money, and forget about yourself” on the track “15” (available for listen on their MySpace page).

Chico, Calif., seems to be the hub of more than just one solid emotional rock outfit, and this band of veterans is no exception. Chris Keene also plays these songs acoustically live at times, adding to the dimension of purity these songs seem to possess. Fans of Number One Gun will find a bit of a departure here, but the uplifting element is still present. And their new album is now out, cleverly titled Love is For the Rich. myspace.com/surrogateparty