Despite the Kansas City, MO, group's unwieldy moniker,
When We Leave, We Will Know Where We've Been is a wonderfully pastoral mix of acoustic and electronic sounds (topped off by mournful,
Neil Young-like vocals) that recalls such formidable purveyors of the form as
Grandaddy and
Gastr Del Sol. This is a warm, organic album packed with gorgeous little moments such as "Smoke and Mirrors," which builds a stirring and ethereal atmosphere atop a simple acoustic guitar and voice arrangement. "Rest Assured" is similarly minded (and as successful), but this song eventually gives way to tumbling drums and a strident wash of keyboards. This group wills a bevy of
Grandaddy comparisons; however,
Namelessnumberheadman may have an even broader palette. This is a reassuringly warm, yet engagingly complex album.