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Terrene's latest record The Indifferent Universe leaves me just that, indifferent. The album is strewn with pleasant melodies, but nothing extraordinary. When listening to the record straight through, the transitions are seamless. So seamless in fact that it is difficult to distinguish one song from the next. Only on the 8th track, an answering machine message from an irked landlord briefly breaks the monotony of the record.

This isn't to say that there are no redeeming qualities here. The music itself is beautifully ethereal, yet there is no variance in the songs. Overall this leaves you with one long, pretty sound, but not a record to write home about. 

Terrene have found their sound. Unfortunately, it was just that, merely found, hanging there in the air of the their hometown. Seattle's influence is not lost on this record. From front man John Dylan's vocals to the synthesized laptop sounds of Unwelcome the album echoes of Death Cab and Postal Service. And while this makes for sweet harmonies, the unintentional homage, at times, can come off as little more than a rendition of a poor man's Ben Gibbard. Although co-produced by Phil Eck, the strongest evidence of his contribution that it is clear these boys have listened to their fair share of Built To Spill.

Yet, the opening track fifty-one stands apart. The ascending melodies and frolicking guitar and synthesized sounds create a joyful introduction to an otherwise prosaic repetition of the same idea in the following 12 tracks.

The Indifferent Universe makes for great background music. If you have some work to do and want to hear something pretty while you do it, this is the record for you. Bottom line, if you need to concentrate and cannot be disturbed by the ingenuity of your background noise, then I would recommend putting The Indifferent Universe on repeat.