(Crossroads of America)

www.xrarecords.com

There's a profound, lingering calm at the center of the long-playing debut from Indiana's Metavari. Across the course of its 45 minutes the trio creates an alternate, soulful universe, rich in detail and subtle in nuance. There's the undulating, psychedelic post-rock of "Of Lungs and Shadows" (itself a self-contained cinematic journey; no surprise to learn the band previously scored the short Casualty of the Promised Land); the Fender Rhodes-powered, ambient-tinged dancepop of "Birds I"; the anthemic "Pacific Lights," which features Frippertronic-like guitar filigrees, romantic strings and looped-in snippets of vocal samples presumably culled from the archival footage Metavari projects during performances.

 Like a haunting film, a satisfying yoga session or even time spent in the company of a child whose burgeoning intellect reminds you of your younger self, this album will leave you with a renewed appreciation for life and your place in it. Is there any greater gift?

Standout Tracks: "Of Lungs and Shadows," "Pacific Lights" FRED MILLS