The Loose Salute

The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, but lucky for the Loose Salute, their musical branches bear apples and pomegranates. Ian McCutcheon from Slowdive and Mojave 3 brings the latter band's whispery West Coast-tinged pop to this table while his better half Lisa Billson inflects with the confidence of a Nashville session pro and the summery soul of Mamas And Poppas era-Michelle Phillips, especially on "From Head To Sandy Toes" (dig that Flying Burrito Brothers sounding pedal steel). "The Mutineer" is another beautiful standout, as McCutcheon sings like Neil Halstead's next of kin.