Melancholy, lush orchestral chamber pop. If you are unfamiliar with Tindersticks, they are a lounge-rock, chamber pop ensemble who incorporate restrained gloominess within the unusual intersection of barroom jazz, smoky lounge music, pop, rock, and maybe classical and soul. (Hipster alert: The Tindersticks were a major influence on The National.) Stuart Staples’ voice is a wholly unique smooth baritone. This album is the second in their vague comeback-but-not-really-a-comeback period. It is not heavy enough to really hold a candle to their early stuff (which everyone should be familiar with), but is more interesting than most ‘indie’ these days. For fans of all early Waits, Nick Cave, and Lambchop.

*1. A loose, jazzy, 15/8 groove that is positively swirling with trumpet warbling, driving upright bass, layered, floating vocals. Arty as hell, interesting, atmospheric, and moody. (6:32)
2. Stripped back, delicate Tindersticks ballad, gentle, has a weird, gauzy 70s soul vibe kind of going, too. (3:22)
3. Handclaps, joyful major key xylophones, full piano, chant-y backing vocals, a capella section, warm; really is a nice pop song. (5:04)
4. Simplistic, minimalistic jingly piano chords, duet with Mary Margaret O’Hara, harmonica, mellow laid back. Not that great, though. (4:35)
5. Spanish-tinged stomp, like something off one of their self-titled albums, atmospheric, great trumpet part and fluttering flute. (3:17)
6. Ominous organ boardwalk instrumental that bobs along. Oddball piece that would fit in on any ‘organgasm.’ (3:03)
*7. More of a straightforward song, vocals seem a little distorted and jagged, catchy, bizarre blend of snarly, western rock and soul; hazy, bumbly horns. Definitely surreal. (3:41)
8. Strummy, tambourines, blaring organs, delayed guitars, trebly, poppy. (3:10)
*9. Slow, piano ballad, haunting, melodic, sweet, picks up in intensity to a jazzy storm of keys, delicate, beautiful. (5:53)
10. Instrumental. Descending, lush, dramatic strings underscored by steady, understated rhythm and light guitar work; sounds like a soundtrack piece. Very nice. (5:46)