TOP PICK

Ben Gibbard

Former Lives

(Barsuk)

Death Cab for Cutie singer Ben Gibbard’s vocal delivery is hard to disguise. The guy practically over-enunciates every word. Not that that is a bad thing. His lyrics have a natural poeticism to them, and that’s certainly the case with the songs on this solo album, his full-length debut. The riveting duet with Aimee Mann is a particular highlight.

MUSIC

Smoke & Jackal

Smoke & Jackal

(RCA)

Though tracks such as “No Tell” and “OK, OK” still have some of that Southern rock swagger, Kings of Leon’s Jared Followill goes for something a little more Gothic and spooky (think Nick Cave) on this fine six-song collaboration with singer-guitarist Nick Brown.

This article appears in Oct 17-23, 2012.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.