While the transplanted D.C. indie rockers
Aden continue to serially name their albums after
Steely Dan tunes, there's not much that's musically tangible to bind the two bands to one another. Returning to their native Chicago turf to record their third LP, the trio's sound here is made of hushed vocals and trebly guitars mixed in with the occasional lush backdrop (vibes, etc.) and Jeff Gramm's smart-sounding but semi-obscure lyrics. Vaguely reminiscent of a less fussy, less precious
Belle & Sebastian, key tracks would have to be the opener ("Matinee Idol"), "Country Bar in the City," and "Pimlico." Thankfully, this largely fragile music was wonderfully recorded by Dave Trumfio. But when they momentarily up the noise factor (for a sensitive, but spirited cover of
the Nice's "Dear John"), it's tended to nicely as well. ~ Joe Silva