The Dreadful Yawns (Bomp, 2005)

The only really dreadful thing about this Cleveland band is their name - a jokey moniker that doesn't nearly do justice to their dreamy, down-tempo country-rock and pop. Much of this second full-length CD paces along with the sort of introspective, downtrodden tempos of Neil Young, mopier songwriters like Nick Drake and the later-day crop of Britpop shoegazers.

The album's mid-tempo electric tunes, particularly the 18-plus minute "The People and the Sky," have the hypnotic feel of The Feelies and neo-psych bands like The Dream Syndicate.

The album's country tunes are anchored by Al Moss' pedal steel, with twangy Telecaster and breezy harmonica lines adding flavor. The folky trance-pop cuts lean on acoustic strumming, chiming Byrd-like 12-strings, breathy harmony singing and reverbed guitars. The deftness with which these sounds are so serenely integrated is quite compelling, much like a tour through a musically literate friend's record collection.

Fans of everything from classic Buffalo Springfield sides to later work by The Star Room Boys and alternarock bands like Television and Luna should check this out.