Spooky Action At a Distance

On Lockett Pundt's second solo outing as Lotus Plaza, it becomes increasingly clear how critical his contributions really are to his other bands (Deerhunter and Atlas Sound). Spooky Action works in a vein similar to those outfits, with pop melodies and sensibilities at the heart of music wrapped in layers of fuzz and warmth. There's reverb on the guitars and vocals, along with restrained distortion and effects (appropriately lighthanded, since the feel here is decidedly ethereal). Tight, sturdy percussion is the grounding force. The crisp snares and chiming guitar on "Strange" anchor the wispy tune, and the weighty kickdrum gives bounce to the shimmering tambourines and gathering clouds of guitar on "Out of Touch." One strength of this set is its range of feeling, from the artfully thoughtful "Jet Out of the Tundra," to the Yo La Tengo–style gentleness of the lovely "Dusty Rhodes." Lotus Plaza's music complements the best of Deerhunter and Atlas Sound.