Area

Formed in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, Area borrowed the ethereal dream-pop sound of Britain's 4AD label while adding their own distinctively Midwestern touches, most notably the gentle vocals of frontwoman Lynn Canfield. Founded in 1986, the group's core included Canfield, guitarist Henry Frayne and multi-instrumentalist Steve Jones; they debuted later that year with White Canvas New Hope, followed in 1988 by Radio Caroline. The Perfect Dream appeared in 1988 as well, with Between Purple and Pink issued a year later. After 1990's Fragments of the Morning, Area disbanded; Canfield and Frayne soon reunited in the Moon Seven Times. ~ Jason Ankeny