Pela

Everyone already loves "High Violet", the new album by the National, so writing about it would be sort of redundant. Even if it would allow me to further my obsession with High Violet contributors, and Whale Watching Tour/802/Bedroom Community staples Nico Muhly, Nadia Sirota and Thomas Bartlett. But I'm not going to indulge that obsession today. A few posts back I called (or maybe i just meant to call) John Grant's "Queen of Denmark", the album Midlake should have put out this year. I'm going to continue along that line here by recommending everyone revisit Pela's fantastic 2007 release, "Anytown Graffiti". It's a moody and terse album that will fit neatly into your music collection alongside the National's output. Like the National, Pela exudes Brooklyn swagger tempered by midwestern roots. Unfortunately, the band broke up late last year and this was their only LP. I just thought it could use a little dusting off.