Golden Smog

The first half of Golden Smog's first disc without Jeff Tweedy is an Anglophile's wet dream: "Can't Even Tie Your Own Shoes" recalls the Stone Roses, "Starman" is a glittery stab at Bowie glam and "Scotch on Ice" exudes the Brit-in-California vibe of Graham Nash's early solo efforts. The second half, in contrast, revives the ragged country-rock of the band's older output. "Without a Struggle" is pastoral beauty, but the rustic cover of Dinosaur Jr.'s "Tarpit" (a teenage favorite?) is sublime.