Staff pick of the week...
This week...Michael picks it!

Artist: José González Title: Veneer Price: $14.75	Tracks on this CD:
	Slow Moves
	Remain
	Lovestain
	Heartbeats
	Crosses
	Deadweight On Velveteen
	All You Deliver
	Stay In The Shade
	Hints
	Save Your Day
	Broken Arrows

I found two CDs in one week by artists likened to Nick Drake. I’m always
skeptical, but always willing to take a chance on finding something else
close to that magic. Whereas the new Espers disc featuring Greg Weeks
includes female vocals and an assortment of bells and whistles (literally,
and not a bad thing), José González’s “Veneer,” veers down the more-stark
“ Pink Moon” route. Most of the eleven songs are just Jose’s plucked
acoustic guitar and hushed but powerful voice, with rare appearances by
percussion and trumpet. Someone at the Swedish magazine Nojesguiden named
“ Veneer” “Swedish album of the year,” and so far it’s my Swedish album of
2004. Here’s some support from Allmusic:

“A striking collection of hushed and autumnal indie pop bedroom songs that
reside on the hi-fi end of the lo-fi spectrum. González is definitely a
member of the "quiet is the new loud" school as founded by Elliott Smith
and the Kings of Convenience. At times, González is a little more forceful
than most of his schoolmates, often working himself into a tightly spinning
ball of emotion (as on the driving "Lovestain" and the bluesy "Hints"). At
these moments his voice is reminiscent of Mark Kozelek, only without the
wild flights of pretension. Mostly though, he is content to cruise along on
mellow vocals double-tracked behind gently plucked and strummed acoustic
guitars. The beautiful "Heartbeats," "Deadweight on Velveteen," and the
gently rollicking "Stay in the Shade" are the high watermarks of a
remarkably focused and promising debut.” (All Music Guide)