David Kilgour: David Kilgour & The Heavy Eights

David Kilgour, founding member of the great post-punk group The Clean, loves to fiddle around with nice little melodies. His album David Kilgour & The Heavy Eights consists of little more than that: It's just a collection of nice, warm little guitar melodies that add up to a swell little pop album. A favorite of Yo La Tengo, among others, Kilgour has a knack for adding just the right amount of flourish to a simple tune, creating quiet, shimmering songs that slowly insinuate themselves upon the listener. It's not always going to be the first recording you reach for, but you'll get around to it; the bitter warble of "Chop Me In 1/2" and the John Hughes movie music of the instrumental "Tumbalin" gently insist upon being heard, and Barbara Manning's guest vocals on "Locked In Blue" are exquisite. Get this overpoweringly pleasant album, and while you're at it, get Here Comes The Cars, Kilgour's other solo recording. You'll be happier, and a lot more relaxed, for your efforts.