Augustana

The band from Southern California (by way of Illinois) makes a rare coastal New Jersey appearance fronted by singer-guitarist-pianist and primary composer Dan Layus; with a revamped lineup, a new record label, and a new leg of tour dates behind their well-received 2014 release, Life Imitating Life. The whispery vocal verses and Coldplay-inspired ivories of the band’s early singles “Boston” and follow-ups “Sweet and Low” and “Hey Now” vaulted to the Top 10 at AAA Radio. Then in 2011, for the band’s self titled album on Epic, Layus had a major surprise with a punchier, more immediate sound that carried melodic currents of Soul Asylum, Tom Petty, Chris Isaak and Bruce Springsteen. Now the new album reconciles the various facets of the Augustana sounds through a succinct rhythmic attack and crisp production — with bright radio-ready anthems like “Ash and Ember” sharing the ride with introspective plaints like “Remember Me,” under the flag of Layus’s unerring pop instincts.