IF THOUSANDS Yellowstone CD

Sure, the label says “Chair Kickers,” but this Duluth duo’s debut reminds me of the gossamer yet sinister sounds of Chicago’s Kranky label more than anything. Although none of this disc would ever jar, even full-blast after midnight, there’s enough variety in the Thousands’ gentle approach to help them avoid the tedious pitfalls of playing it slow and soft. You have deep-voiced folk musings a la $2 Guitar, gauzy synth reveries swathed in sustain like the diaphanous “The Heat, The Hot,” and Morse code as a hook in “We Sent h.l.r.e.” About the only complaint I have with this disc is that it’s missing the wonderful drummer who sometimes accompanies the band live; along with the band’s skin-rippling volume, he helps the melodies hit the visecera instead of just the noggin. One of the bands I’m really hoping will break out of the back-slapping self-congratulatory Twin Towns and win some out-of-state hearts and minds. [Chair Kickers]