Bowerbirds: Upper Air

Label: Dead Oceans

Sounding every bit like the rural folk outfit from Down South that they are, Bowerbirds make their debut for the well-respected Dead Oceans label with the very likable Upper Air. Phil Moore handles most of the vocals (and all of the acoustic-guitar strumming), though it’s the songs where partner and accordionist Beth Tacular (nyuk-nyuk!) joins on vocals — like “Beneath Your Tree” and “Ghost Life,” which hover in the middle of the record — that reach the stratospheres alluded to in the album’s title. Moore and Tacular have the unblemished perspective that surely comes with…not living in NYC! Which is necessary to envision the not-perfect but much-more-potentially idyllic world that populates their songs, which is probably why this simple group sounds so charming to these ears. Could be a sleeper hit in your life, too. (Simon)