Pernice Brothers

With a silky, warm voice similar to the Zombies' Colin Blunstone's richly textured vocal ribbons, Joe Pernice has made one of the best records to come out of Sub Pop's roster since his other band, the Scud Mountain Boys, released Massachusetts. Much like their stylistic peers Wilco, Pernice has left behind the Gram Parsons reference point for pure Pop arrangements that tap into the symphonic studies of Brian Wilson and (more closely) Burt Bacharach. Pernice's songs have a backlit mood that pours out from his changes and heartfelt romantic Pop musings. Where the songs of the Scud Mountain Boys embraced "Know" Depression, the Pernice Brothers play songs that juxtapose optimistic instrumental sounds with melancholy lyrics.