(Happy Jack)

www.rockathonrecords.com

At first, one can only imagine what might result from a collaboration between two adventurous artists like Robert Pollard, late of Guided By Voices and various one-off sidebars, and Richard Davies, bearer of a catalogue that includes work with the Moles, Cardinal and three excellent solo records.  Both men have highly regarded reputations as progressive pop visionaries, and while Pollard is something of an eccentric with a prodigious output, Davies maintains an inward gaze better suited to cerebral set-ups.

Pollard's been mighty prolific of late, seemingly releasing an album a month - or at least it sometimes appears - but lest anyone dismiss Cosmos as just another exercise in indulgence, it ought to be noted that Jar of Jam Ton of Bricks is actually one of his more accessible efforts, tempered no doubt by Davies' penchant for sumptuous arrangements and widescreen elaboration.  So if some of the songs seem somewhat obtuse  - the opening haze of "Stoke Newington Blitzkrieg" and the droning "Early Chills, Early Crow" in particular -- the remainder of the album sounds absolutely illuminated, with songs such as "Don't Be a Shy Nurse," "The Neighborhood Trapeze" and "Hail Mary" bathed in the glow of iridescent arrangements and a slight psychedelic sheen.  Other tracks boast a steady strum and a surprise hint of REM in Pollard's pleading vocals, creating the suggestion that Cosmos isn't so much a celestial spectacle as a terrestrial treat. 

Standout tracks: "Don't Be A Shy Nurse," ""Hail Mary" LEE ZIMMERMAN