Over the course of a couple of albums and EPs, Dallas' Bedhead have delivered some of the most lush, gorgeous guitar music of this, or any other decade. The approach is deceptively simple: songs slowly, quietly unwind upon themselves, building towards measured, yet cathartic releases. Each instrument on their records seems to be working in gloriously sublime communion. This is true "moment music"-- long drives on cold mornings and post- coital snoozes are well served by the introduction of Bedhead into the sonic environment. It's a sound that has some obvious reference points (The Velvet Underground's self- titled third record, Galaxie 500, Low, some Joy Division) but it manages to distinguish itself by the virtue of its formidable chops.

Like it's jaw- droppingly brilliant predecessors What Fun Life Was and Bedheaded, Transaction de Novo is destined to be one of this year's best records for reasons which are frustratingly hard to pin down. "Parade" effortlessly shifts between hushed, clean guitar tones and crashing epic guitar interplay. "Forgetting" takes a slow, simple melody and adds subdued feedback and buttery, countrified slide guitar, while singer Matt Kadane's valium- drenched vocals croon, "The only thing that makes me look forward is forgetting". Even the less- interesting upbeat numbers like "Psychosomatica" would sound fantastic on anyone else's record. One gets to wondering if these people have ever played a bum note, let alone a dud song. Bedhead will make you feel more at peace with yourself. Love them accordingly.

-Samir Khan