For Each a Future Tethered

Joel Nicholson’s biggest issue to surmount may be that he sounds an awful lot like the late Elliott Smith, but then, that's not a bad thing. The English singer is somewhat like Smith with a tad more optimism and light . . . and more trumpets. And clarinet. Nicholson’s 2008 debut as Butcher the Bar—Sleep at Your Own Speed—was a lo-fi affair. For Each a Future Tethered is remarkably different in terms of delivery: the songs have the same melancholy, heart-on-sleeve quality, but they're tighter, with production more focused and full of sparkle. Opening with “Sign Your Name,” Nicholson reaches for high notes that crackle with emotion while maintaining a near-whisper, just as Smith did so beautifully. The music swings gently, with banjo and piano bouncing gently atop quiet snares and handclaps, a promise of full-on happiness ahead. “Cradle Song” fulfills that promise, nearly bursting with restrained joy as handclaps and harmonium notes carry more robust vocals; it’s reminiscent of Sea Wolf. Other tunes like “Alpha Street West” and “X” are small folk-pop gems, with acoustic and electric guitar, piano, and horns coming together sweetly and tenderly.