The Duke Spirit

Written with nautical themes yet recorded in the desert, Neptune resonates with juxtapositions. Swells of pop add a velvety sheen to the grunge and fuzz that were so prominent on the Duke Spirit's debut. Producer Chris Goss roughens up the Brits' shoegazer tendencies with the heavy bass and bravado he's perfected with Queens of the Stone Age ("Send a Little Love Token," "The Step and the Walk"). The band counters with delicate horns ("Lassoo"), harmonica ("Dog Roses") and languid guitars ("Wooden Heart"), all enhanced by Leila Moss' gorgeous part-cockney, part-Grace Slick trill.