Saint Etienne — Tales From Turnpike House

Turnpike House dropped months back in England to the usual crickets chirping of a Saint Etienne release, but reviews began surfacing with phrases like "best album" and "in 10 years." So, ta-da! Domestic release. Now don't get scared, but it's a concept album — though as a disconnected, day-in-the-life look at various residents of a London estate building, the material isn't overwhelmed by any larger story. And the songs are good, combining breezy lounge with vinyl-stringed guitar, flute and detached dance that compares favourably to Annie's chill-disco. And though Beach Boys comparisons are endless in modern music, few have perfected the Wilson harmonies as well as Saint Etienne on the a cappella "Goodnight" — not even Wilson, recently.

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