I Hope You're Sitting Down/Jack's Tulips

Lambchop mixes a wry, somewhat warped sensibility with a spacious, Quaalude-dipped sonic conception and spreads this unlikely concoction over the tried-and-true musical verities of rock, folk, and country. While singer Kurt Wagner's intimate, world-weary talk-singing relates lyrics that are at once ironic, silly, and highly poetic, lush arrangements of strings, horns, and organ (as well as mandolin, ukelele, and banjo) create a dynamically shifting noise seduction. "Begin," "You Are The Very Air He Breathes," and "I Will Drive Slowly" investigate a surreal romantic world that charms and intrigues. One of Lambchop's best tricks is the band's ability to make the alt-rock slacker ethic co-exist beautifully with strong compositions and meticulous arrangements, creating music that is at once hip and otherworldly yet "small town" accessible. I HOPE YOU'RE SITTING DOWN perfectly articulates the band's atmospheric, humorous, and quirkily appealing aesthetic.