Sian Alice Group

Although the bucolic, dreamy vocal delivery of lead vocalist Sian Ahern gets top billing, figuratively and literally, the supporting cast on the sophomore LP help transform Troubled, Shaken, Etc. into an absorbing extension of their well-received debut, 59.59. Written during a busy 2008 (which included tours with Spiritualized and Deerhunter), Troubled, Shaken, Etc. alternates between bouncy, airy pre-modern compositions ("Love That Moves the Sun"), Krautrock-inspired drones ("Longstrakt") and driving, Clinic-esque urgency ("The Low Lights"). The supporting cast in question include guest musicians like label mate Mike Bones and John Coxon from Spring Heel Jack, giving the LP an adventurous and daring feel. Feedback, anti-rhythms and inorganic beats are as welcome as the cradling arpeggios and gentle wall-of-sound rhythms that helped Sian Alice Group grow in popularity over the last 18 months. As long as Sian Alice Group remain as flexible as they are on Troubled, Shaken, Etc., they will never sound stale.