The Balcony CD Release @ Club Deville Tonight

Local musician/composer John C. Kelley has run a studio, contributed to such films as How's Your Cart, and played drums in Loxsly, but his latest project showcases pop sensibilities and genuine talent as a frontman. Tonight, Kelley and his Balcony perform at Club Deville to celebrate the release of the CD, which is self-titled. The Balcony is performing songs that, on the album, were recorded entirely by Kelley, but they're no slouches: the ensemble contains members of Quiet Lovely, Loxsly, Georgian Company, and former Black Before Red guitarist Joshua Huck.

The album is packed full (17 songs) of lilting, subdued pop-folk numbers, a little like what we imagine a collaboration between Andrew Bird and a very medicated Tweedy would sound like. Kelley's voice is unaffected and soothing, but he's at his best vocally on songs like "I Am An American," in which his range and movement truly stands out. Other stand out tracks are "Wolflick Sweetheart" and "Sunshine" -- two tunes that jump out as borderline Hugely Successful Up-Tempo Songs That Are Actually Sad Songs. The plenitude of inoffensive ballads waters down the effect that the stronger songs possess, but petty gripes aside, this is really good material. One softer track not to miss is the album's closer, "Surf's Up" -- its vulnerable-sounding harmonies tuck the collection to bed lovingly.

They'll be supported by The Shaky Hands and The Harlequins.