The Pacific Ocean, Silver Jews: Birds Don’t Think They’re Flying (Enchante) CD, American Water (Drag City) CD

People like Nicolas Vernhes and his Rare Book Room in NYC are the backbone of honest, real recording in this country. I'm not joking. There's million dollar studios with well-trained staff and full catering that are not generating worthwhile recordings/albums, while people like Nic crank out tons of CD projects every year at affordable rates, with clear, straight-up real sounds - and these are the records that matter; the ones worth a listen. The Pacific Ocean (Ed for- merly of Versus and Connie of Containe) have a clean pop, early Spinanes feel with understated production, while the Silver Jews record is one of the most "timeless" pieces of work I've heard in ages. This could have been made any time in the last 30 years and I appreciate that. So, remember, Rare Book Room and Nic Vernhes - and look for a big interview with him soon! (Enchante, 245 East 19th Street, #12T, NY,NY 10003) (Drag City, P.O. Box 476867, Chicago, IL 60647)