Systems Officer - "Hael". Ah - this is more like it. Since Pinback's new EP is all spread out and cool, Systems Officer will take the band's place; here are those reassuring curls of electric guitar, winding and weaving, the sigh-call-echo of voices. It's the project of "Armistead Burwell Smith IV (aka "Zach")", a Pinback member and former Three Mile Pilot guy. "Hael" spreads wings and then furls them again - it makes hesitation seem so sweet, makes purgatory sound so natural. Although the song opens with moody Coldplay piano, that's soon superseded. This is about warmth and reassurance; no dramatics. (thankee monica) [buy]

Declan O'Rourke - "Your World". This songwriter has a debut just around the bend, but "Your World" is taken Other Voices: Songs From a Room, a comp of up-and-coming irish talent. Declan's a guy-with-guitar, but this is big and loose, a fullhearted song that doesn't skulk in the bushes. It's so bold, so pushy; the lover who strides into the cafe, singing out his soul, nary a care for the strangers who titter - only for the one he wants to pay attention. The rhymes aren't trite, they're merely earnest. What's a boy to do!? [buy]

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I was gonna post The Concretes' "Seems Fine", off the Heavy.com comp that came in the mail - but The Big Ticket beat me to it. It's a wonderful tune, and I'm so glad that he agrees. :)