Rush

Multi-instrumentalists Eric Ronick and Than Luu -- the duo behind Black Gold -- are veteran performers who have tested their respective wares by logging significant stage time with a variety of acts. They formed in early 2006 after crossing paths on the road and set up at Ronick's Thinman Studios in Brooklyn, where they wrote and recorded the bulk of their debut album, Rush. From the infectious analog synth strut of "Detroit" to the soaring, alluring charge of "Run," the album is one of the warmest, most charming indie pop offerings in recent memory. A unique listening experience by design, the music on Rush comes from an eagerness to draw on an array of styles and eras. Additional highlights include the keenly constructed and superbly sung "Plans & Reveries," the stripped-down vintage-Kinks-meets-Spoon vibe of "Silver" and the melodic punch of "Shine."