Califone, All My Friends are Funeral Singers (side C)

Quicksand/Cradlesnakes converted me to being a big Califone fan, so I measure every new record against what is probably an irrational standard. All My Friends are Funeral Singers, from 2009, is another strong, memorable Califone record, which is really a compliment after I omit my biases. The songs come through more clearly, with the band interplay a bit more subdued. There's still a wide variety of textures and the airy, spacious sound that all of Califone's records share—a blend of modern and classic that serves the music well. The songwriting is powerful, and can certainly stand on its own when brought more into focus. And, of course, every record collector is a sucker for a double LP in a beautiful gatefold package.