The Lucksmiths have a knack for creating indie pop that is entirely their own yet brings to mind all the great bands of the past and present like the Smiths, Belle & Sebastian, and the Field Mice. The intimacy and small-town feel of the band set them apart from their urban influences, and their grasp of songcraft and melody sets them apart from just about every band currently plying the indie pop trade. Naturaliste may be their strongest record yet. It is filled with great songs, wonderfully sweet vocal performances, witty and pithy lyrics, and clean arrangements (mostly guitars and drums but filled out with subtle strings and horns), as are all their albums. There’s nothing really new or different; everything is just one notch better. The album flows from beginning to end like pages from a diary and also has some of their best songs, like “Camera-Shy,” “Midweek Morning,” “There Is a Boy That Never Goes Out,” “Stayaway Stars,” and “The Shipwreck Coast.” There is no finer indie pop band in the world circa 2004 than the Lucksmiths. Naturaliste is proof of that. – Tim Sendra