The Red Thread's Jason Lakis has a knack for dreamy melodies, emotive vocals, and subtle indie rock-derived guitar lines that puts his trio in a league of its own. The weeping, atmospheric riffs that become the Hawaiian-vibing "Kindling Forts," for instance, sound like a collaboration between
Spoon and
Jack Johnson. Gone are the
Red House Painters-fixated songs that fueled
Tension Pins, replaced by airy, memorable tunes like "Long Arm" and "A Distance." Lakis' lilting, lullaby-like numbers like "Sleepwalker" and "Treasure Island" -- realized with bandmates Mike Schmiedt and
Dan Martin -- are less slowcore than indie rock-meets-easy listening, but after a hard day, a cold beer and
Ship in the Attic, Birds in the Subway are perfect companions. ~ John D. Luerssen