Califone, Quicksand/Cradlesnakes (side A)

2003's Quicksand/Cradlesnakes fully establishes Califone's mature sound as a departure from Tim and Ben's earlier work with Red Red Meat—it's also their first album to involve Jim Becker and Joe Adamik, who have since become full-time members.  The hints of rock music in the structures, while still present, have moved far into the background, with the music hewing much more closely to the poetic structures of Tim's abstract lyrics.  The line between percussive and melodic sounds has become fully blurred, with the entire arrangements appearing to have been built around Ben's distinctive approach to his kit.  The songs are great and beautiful, and the interstitial instrumentals add flow and cohesion.  The bright and recognizably modern sound somehow succeeds at creating a distinctive listening experience without feeling distracting.  The packaging has a lot of attention to detail, with a reverse-stock cover and printed inner-sleeve.