Elysian Fields - Bum Raps & Love Taps (2005)

Elysian Fields is one of the best bands out there, and it's a shame more people aren't aware of this. Moody and atmospheric, beautiful and haunting, Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow have outdone themselves with Bum Raps & Love Taps. Upping the ante with their song writing they've written some of the most spectacular songs of their career for this album. A standout for me is the gorgeous "Duel With Cudgels" which is an 8:30 minute opus in which the first half of the song is such an amazing buildup of sounds you won't even miss Jennifer's sultry vocals before she starts singing. Anyone that appreciates beauty of any kind should own this album.