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Written by Kevin Renick Monday, 08 September 2008 06:52

There's always room for another, especially if they're as promising as this amiable quintet,

Austin, Texas, is loaded with great bands, but there's always room for another, especially if they're as promising as this amiable quintet, who released a couple of below-the-radar albums mid-decade before the release of their new four-song Flashlights EP. Most of the credit goes to vocalist/keyboardist/songwriter Cody Ground, who has a warm and pleasing style pitched perfectly between Jeff Tweedy and Sam Prekop. The opening track here, "Lamprey Eels," has a clean, simple riff that signals an earthy rock vibe, but when Ground chimes in with his soothingly wistful tone, and guitarists Justin Douglas and Garrett Johnston proceed to demonstrate their tasteful restraint and melodicism, the track soon ascends to a rather magical plane. It's a low-key gem. Also strong are the Eels-meet-High Llamas vibe of "Speckled Eggs" (the banjo is highly underrated as a textural element in rock) and the nice keyboard sound with which Ground flavors the Beach Boys-like "Virgin Isles." There's just enough melancholy and arranging smarts here to make you think these guys have it in them to make a great record, and Ground is, well, above it as a singer and craftsman. B | Kevin Renick

RIYL: Eels, The Notwist, The Sea and Cake