Kelley Stoltz: Circular Sounds

Label: Sub Pop

On his fourth album, singer-songwriter and home-recording aficionado Kelley Stoltz completes his gradual progression from lo-fi to “mid-hi,” serving up a strong and diverse collection of modern pop classics that reference the Kinks (oh, he clearly loves Ray Davies), the Beach Boys and the Beatles. Playing nearly all of the instruments himself (with the help of a saxophone player and an additional musician here and there), Stoltz pretty much singlehandedly captures the charisma and spirit of a full 1960s band, without ever sounding derivative or retro. From the sunny hooks of “Everything Begins” and “When You Forget” to the slightly trippy beauty of “Gardenia” and the flawless rock and roll of “To Speak to the Girl,” Circular Sounds is an immensely enjoyable trip back to the glory days of pop songwriting. (Kiri)