Standing in the Shade

Dramatic, atmospheric pop with plaintive vocals, intricate acoustic/electric guitar textures, supple rhythms, and lovely violin...this is the sophomore album from former members of Braid and Days in December. From the band's glistening soft-bombast to bare-naked acoustic interludes, the seamless transition of prophetic lyrics, with the unplugged approach and Rachel's dreamy string embellishments, they've created a rich, lush album of tempting, meandering beauty. Follows up their sleeper debut CD, "Best Possible Souvenir" and a Tree Records Post Marked Stamps split 7" with Compound Red. Moody, string-embellished, haze-pop-geometries recalling the work of neo-troubadour Elliot Smith and the moody pop atmospheres of The Red House Painters, Tristeza, and Low.