Adjusting to a new roster is hard for any band, and Shallow Seas certainly has its growing pains.  When Chappy’s line-up was split apart due to Katrina, singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer Michael Wagner soldiered on, keeping drummer David Sobel and adding violinist Denise Bonis to create Shallow Seas, the band’s second album. While the guitar/drums/violin instrumentation is tight, some songs fair better than others. Sobel tries his best to bring the funk on “House,” a Dave Matthews Band-style groove, but the track screams for a bass line to fill the void.

Otherwise, Wagner manages to fill out the sound with his unique finger picking, providing bluegrass flare to the songs, while Bonis weaves in violin lines to compliment both guitar and vocal melodies. The band works hard to save most of the songs from sounding too empty, and they mostly succeed with their unusual set up to craft a sound fit for any coffeehouse.

The vocal interplay is also impressive, although the voices are lost in the mix at times. This is not always a bad thing considering that Wagner’s voice is hit or miss.  When he’s on, he produces a distinct, slightly bluesy wail. When he’s not, he sounds either unconfident or out of tune. Denise Bonis handles the lead vocals exquisitely on the beautifully fragile “Blue Skies,” and she deserves more time in the limelight.

Chappy’s good qualities come together on the title track, which features help from friends Dan Oestreicher, Brian Wolff, and Washboard Chaz. Where many of the songs meander for five-plus minutes with no real dynamic shift, the added instrumentation of “Shallow Seas” energizes the band, bringing a driving country beat, strong vocals, and fiery violin to the only song on the album that justifies its length. Chappy has great potential, and with more concise songs tailored to their unique sound, perhaps their sea won’t be so shallow next time around.