A Weather

Much of what makes this debut full-length so sure-footed is Adam Selzer’s warm and spare production. He creates an intimate space where vocalists Aaron Gerber and Sarah Winchester can breath their lyrics quietly to each other while the rest of us eavesdrop. Gerber’s songs are clever and coy in equal measures but with an unforced emotional resonance that recalls Sufjan Stevens’ quieter moments. The musical component of the quintet is careful in choosing to let wide spaces open around the vocals before returning with gentle sways and swoons of acoustic strings, humming organ and muted wind instruments. When the vocals come together, there are echoes of other gentle American indie bands like Ida, and elsewhere, as on "Small Potatoes,” a dressed-up Beat Happening peek through. When things go a little flirty it’s hard not to think a bit of European darlings like Belle & Sebastian or Mojave Three. Either way, they are in good company and fit well within these slow, select circles.