Scattered Trees

Chicago-based Scattered Trees are not unlike Toll House instant cookies. The group’s earnest, thoughtfully-arranged output goes down easy, but something is still lacking; you’ve had better treats before. The quintet’s output is passable: emotional alt-rock with occasional dance-y undertones. Think the vulnerability of the Antlers doused with the consumer-friendly safeness of Coldplay. Scattered Trees’ recent debut LP, Symphony, was largely influenced by the death of frontman Nate Eiesland’s father. The record’s first single, “Love And Leave,” is an out-and-out emotional jam that should resonate with almost anyone, a notion that’s made even more solid by the track’s enchanting Star Wars-themed video, Storm Troopers and all.

Updated 11/15/2011