They Kind of Shine

VINYL FORMAT. This is the third full-length album by multi-instrumentalist Paul Hiraga aka Downpilot. Downpilot has given the music world two albums of lush and atmospheric pop in collaboration with producer Tucker Martine (R.E.M., The Decemberists, Laura Veirs), with influences as diverse as Americana rock, ambient electronica and jazz. A brand new audio laboratory was then put to work in the creation and recording of They Kind of Shine. Drawing some individualistic inspiration from the first Paul McCartney solo albums (on which the former Beatle played nearly every instrument himself), Hiraga embarked on a private studio exploration that has many songs performed entirely by himself on acoustic/electric/lap steel guitars, drums and percussion, acoustic and electric piano, humming old Farfisas and Hammonds and creaky old pump organs, with an occasional banjo and ukulele thrown in for flavor. Long-time band mate Jeff Brown contributes rich background vocal support, and cameos by former Posies drummer Mike Musburger, pedal steel master Maggie Bjorklund and Tucker Martine contribute to the remarkably cohesive band sound. The result is a rich acoustic-electric-chamber-pop-roots-Americana-rock-country album that doesn't really hold on to any of those simplistic labels, but is completely timeless. Soaring, accomplished singer/songwritership imbued with rich harmonies and alt. country swagger.