http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5057&variant=artist-playlists&rws=%2Fbig-dipper%2Fplaylists.rssRising out of the ashes of college rock luminaries Volcano Suns and the Embarrassment, Boston's Big Dipper blazed a short trail for indie rock during their short life span (1985-1990). The band -- singer/guitarist Bill Goffrier, guitarist Gary Waleik, bassist Steve Michener and drummer Jeff Oliphant -- had a shiny approach to jangle pop that sounded like the Smiths on Prozac. A year after being signed to venerable indie label Homestead in 1987, they released <I>Heavens</I>, an album of happy-go-lucky guitar pop that would later inform bands such as the Shins and the Decemberists. In 1989, <I>Craps</I>, for the most part, failed to match the debut's smiley disposition and sing-along lyrics. For <I>Slam</I>, their final album -- and premiere on Epic -- the band slipped even further and subsequently was dropped by its label. - Dan ShumateIndie/Alternativeen720Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:18:05 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5057&variant=artist-playlists&rws=%2Fbig-dipper%2Fplaylists.rss Rising out of the ashes of college rock luminaries Volcano Suns and the Embarrassment, Boston's Big Dipper blazed a short trail for indie rock during their short life span (1985-1990). The band -- singer/guitarist Bill Goffrier, guitarist Gary Waleik, bassist Steve Michener and drummer Jeff Oliphant -- had a shiny approach to jangle pop that sounded like the Smiths on Prozac. A year after being signed to venerable indie label Homestead in 1987, they released <I>Heavens</I>, an album of happy-go-lucky guitar pop that would later inform bands such as the Shins and the Decemberists. In 1989, <I>Craps</I>, for the most part, failed to match the debut's smiley disposition and sing-along lyrics. For <I>Slam</I>, their final album -- and premiere on Epic -- the band slipped even further and subsequently was dropped by its label. - Dan Shumate