The Life and Times and In the Pines

With sorrowful string arrangements and a percussive pace that recalls cars crawling through a pedestrian-packed Plaza intersection, In the Pines is no party band. Its rustic folk ruminations will have revelers contemplating the past year's ill-fated advances and squandered opportunities as they add to their beer tabs. The Life and Times cranks up the volume, with every drum blast landing like an errant ceremonial crystal ball plummeting to the pavement. Only singer-guitarist Allen Epley remains from the trio's original incarnation; the new lineup focuses on delicately dissonant guitar shimmer that should make New Year's Eve feel like My Bloody Valentine's day.