Hampton's Lullaby

Fans of My Morning Jacket and Drive By Truckers should find the Athens, Ga.–based Futurebirds a worthy iPod-mate. Hampton's Lullaby is a terrific collection from the swinging ease of "Johnny Utah" to the slow, drunken waltz of the closing title track. In between, "Yur Not Dead" is a glowing, glorious ruckus of slow-building guitars, church glass–colored vocals, and bright tambourines. (Futurebirds are a guitar lover's delight, with four or five electric and acoustic guitars played at once.) "Happy Animals" is a dusty, thrilling ride alongside galloping tom drums and distorted guitars that howl like desert wolves between mountains of rich, gorgeous harmonies. The power of Futurebirds' music sneaks up on listeners, evoking artists like Neil Young and Fleet Foxes with rustic, simmering beauty imparted by somber piano and weeping pedal steel. At times (as on the banjo-flecked "APO" and "Battle for Rome"), the music takes on a celebratory quality; getting swept up in this particular brand of dust-covered, beer-infused country-rock is simply heavenly.