Choice Cuts: November 2004

potentially surprising places (No Knife's Ryan Ferguson and Cave In's Stephen Brodsky). Brodsky's "Beautiful Break-up" is simple but lovely; the fans who carped about Cave In's musical shift will foam at the mouth after hearing it (to which I say, "Well done, Stephen"). Finally, Robert Nanna's hazy acoustic closer "I'd Rather Be Wine Drunk" makes for a perfect nightcap for the compilation.

Highlight Tracks: Tim Kasher's "Stranger Than Strangers," Jim Ward's "These Years," Robert Nanna's "I'd Rather Be Wine Drunk"

For More Info: Check out http://www.fiveoneinc.com

Artist: XRAYOK

Album: Reflex

The Scoop: xrayok (no caps) is a band that has clearly paid attention to their Brit-rock staples. There are a bajillion bands, from the smallest local band to big draws like Keane and Muse, that use the influence of these same bands-culminating with the inevitable Radiohead reference-to usually forgettable ends. Phoenix's xrayok, though, is able to channel this over-used lineage into more satisfying and memorable results. Their debut contains a number of songs that come pretty close to achieving that swing-for-the-fences sound that can propel a band into the big time. The right production team could probably set xrayok's ambitious textures ablaze. In the meantime, they're building a healthy local buzz and have landed a slot on a forthcoming compilation album on Western Tread. As for Radiohead, their influence here is circa The Bends, as on the Greenwoody guitar opening to "Novacaine," and the dramatic inflections of frontman TJ Hill, who can take potentially hazardous lines like "I can't help but feel I'm sinking" and not just sell them but really sell them. As with most debuts, there are some misses and near-misses, but Reflex catches fire around its middle.

Highlight Tracks: "Landslide" and "All The World Will Stop"

For More Info: Visit http://www.xrayok.com

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