Five years is a long time between albums, but the Sundays have rewarded their devotees for being so patient. The British alterna-pop foursome fronted by vocalist Harriet Wheeler and guitarist David Gavurin has crafted its most accessible work to date. It even has a hit single in waiting (the buoyant "Summertime"). This is pretty lofty stuff for a band that, though it has two gold records to its credit ('92's "Blind" and the 1990 debut album "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic") is primarily a word-of-mouth fan favorite. "Static & Silence is more linear lyrically than the Sundays' previous efforts, which wandered into the oblique at times. And strings, horns, even chirping-bird sounds on one track enhance the "poptimistic" feel that pervades this album. A constant throughout is Wheeler's distinctive, heartfelt warbling, backed up by Gavurin's thoughtful acoustic guitar playing. "Static" is top-heavy with ballads (the best are "Leave This City,""Homeward" and "When I'm Thinking About You"), but that is Wheeler's millieu. It's good to have her back.
-DAVID L. CODDON