Radar Bros.

It’s hardly possible to beat the Radar Bros. at their game, a slow-strummed perfection that recalls Pink Floyd’s quiet psychedelic balladry, while delving into the immaculate California-chill harmonies of the Byrds. It’s no surprise they reside on the consistently stellar Merge label, but what is surprising is that they remain so criminally overlooked. 2002’s …And the Surrounding Mountains is one of the decade’s top-shelf musical achievements, already residing on this writer’s “all-time underrated” list. Here’s hoping the new The Fallen Leaf Pages draws new blood into lead Brother Jim Putnam’s cult of happy/sad allegory. Either way, a trek to Hailey’s is highly recommended for anybody in need of catharsis or just a gentle earlobe caress.