No Freeway, No Plan, No Trees, No Ghosts

On their second album, this Italian trio play psychedelic-soundtrack-influenced rock with the kind of drowsy, desert-soundscape guitar that recalls the instrumental music of the better-known bands Scenic and Lanterna, without being specifically derivative of them. On the instrumental tracks, there's an inviting sense of moseying along an empty desert highway, unafraid of what might be lurking and unhurried toward whatever destination awaits. A bit of a laconic, wry jazz/lounge feel (with occasional vibraphone) creeps in sometimes too, as is perhaps reflected by one of the wittier song titles, "Intimacy Is Jazz, Disturbance Is Art." Arguably, they might have been better off leaving the entire album instrumental, or not putting vocals on top of the tracks with singing: the vocals (all in English) make them sound like a more ordinary indie post-punk band, disturbing the otherwise trance-like moods. Particularly on the instrumental selections, it's superior mood music that's relaxing but not toothless, with inventive interplay between the thickly reverbed, varying guitar tones and the languorous basslines.