The Court & Spark

So The Court & Spark are a pretty essential band for any fan of modern alt-country music. Folk sensibilities, plenty of sonic experimentation and beautiful production - they're like a poor man's Wilco. (I mean that in the best way possible.) Their new album, Hearts, isn't as solid as 2001's Bless You or 2004's Witch Season, but still very much worth the listen, with the exception of "Let's Get High" which is like a terrible version of "Suffolk Down Upon The Night." But when the band sticks to what they're good at, such as on "We Were All Uptown Rulers" and "The Ballad of Horselover Fat," they are one of the best out there at making gentle, compelling folk-based music.

The Court & Spark- We Were All Uptown Rulers from Hearts

The Court & Spark- Steeplechasing from Witch Season