Exquisite. Multi-faceted. Pristine. Dazzling. No - I'm not trying to sell you a luxury automobile nor describe a diamond set in platinum. What I am translating are the dozen compositions nested within Decades, courtesy of a brotherly duo [Casey & Jesse Cooper] from Columbus, Ohio by the name of The Receiver.

On paper, after hearing what each of these 2 young men bring to the album in parts, one would likely place the odds in favor of the combination not fleshing out on the same recording. As Casey handles the main duties with lyrics, bass and a mix of classically influenced keys, Jesse creates his own timing on drums. Casey's lyrics hover right between a hush and a secret, never getting above the risky level of your next door neighbor intercepting the message. Taking "In Tunnels" as the shining example, atop a quite generous stomp of percussion and crashing ride, Casey blends a spectacular pattern on Rhodes with this opening message: "The feeling has found me. Well it seemed so long ago. I'm glad it remembered me. I knew I'd never forget, the way that it moved me - to a space that's torn between distraction and clarity. Well it's clear that it has me again".

Few bands are creating music this passionate and rich in depth - the only other American band that comes close to the mind is NYC's Homesick for Space. Decades is truly a work of art that instantly absorbs and makes itself known. Superior.

[kaleb]