It should come as no surprise that Thomas Meluch's most treasured instrument is the one-track tape recorder he carries around the city of Portland, Oregon, where he lives and records under the name Benoit Pioulard. His second-most valued instrument isn't an instrument at all; it's a Polaroid camera. So it's not hard to imagine why Meluch's songs sound like they're steeped in a hazy whir of nature and tape decay, or why they resemble the environment Meluch might capture with his camera — overexposed or underexposed, with color spilling out from all directions.

On Lasted Meluch expands his sonic palette, letting his voice take on a more prominent role in the songs. Tracks like "Shouting Distance" and "A Coin on the Tongue" — which resemble Kurt Vile, albeit less lovelorn and outwardly dark — make for the most upbeat pop moments on this album: wispy harmonies, slight percussion and a vague melody. Between the few infectious songs are the brusque instrumental interludes Benoit Pioulard is best known for. Some idle by, some catch your attention. "Nod," the album-closer, is heavy with fuzz. "Passenger" rides a slow beat and hisses by in just over a minute. They're heady, imaginative songs, comprised of… read more »