Quasi

It’s probably inevitable that critics, even in their most glowing reviews, find it necessary to focus on the fact that the two members of Quasi, Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss, were once married.

"People like the human drama," guesses Janet Weiss, the duo’s drummer/sometimes singer, on the phone from her Portland, OR, home, "even though it’s been almost six years [since the breakup]."

From the beginning, Quasi’s songs, mostly written by Coomes, have been split-personality affairs: dour lyrics over peppy organ, guitar and drum workouts.

Though their 1998 release Featuring "Birds" won them critical acclaim, their new album, Field Studies (Up), doesn’t find the band suddenly chipper. Its songs, influenced by months and months on the road (along with their own tours, the duo backed up Portland pal Elliott Smith on tour and Weiss also drums for Sleater-Kinney), are still world-weary observations about love and its shortcomings. "Detachment and loneliness," laughs Weiss about what’s come to be the duo’s calling card.

"I think there are elements of joy, obviously," says Weiss. "Maybe the general outlook is a little bit bleak, but I know Sam so well and I don’t see him as all gloom. There’s a lot of hope."

It’s a sort of skewered hope perfectly summed up by a song like "Smile," with its "It’s not so bad.… You lost by just a nose" sentiments. Key to Quasi’s happy sad-songs are their perfectly timed organ swells and drum fills, letting the listener know that even though these dreary tales are drawn from personal experience, they’re wry, tongue-in-cheek lessons learned.

"Even more surprising is when journalists still think the songs now are about each other," laughs Weiss, "like neither of us have had any relationships since we broke up."

—Brian Howard

Quasi, Sat., Oct. 30, with Mary Timony, all ages, The Pontiac, 304 South St., 215-925-4053.