Autumn Defense – Self-Titled

Autumn’s over, but no matter, since winter might be the more apt season for the Autumn Defense. This third album from the side-project of Wilco’s John Stirratt and Pat Sansone deserves a spin during a silent snowstorm, while next to a fireplace and preferably on a shag rug. A warm and impeccably lush album of blue-eyed soul, it’s steeped in the bell-bottom era, with overtures to Bill Withers, Alex Chilton and Simon & Garfunkel. But to the most casual listener, the timeless reach of these songs has a gentle touch; its interwoven complexities are neatly tucked away, never for show but always for pleasure.

Stirratt and Sansone have been quietly making Autumn Defense albums since 2001. From the start, the duo was all about moods — misty and mellow — and here they have finally found songs to match. Chamber pop gems such as “Estate Remains” contain multitudes — harmonies, sashaying strings, a gleaming harpsichord — that together enhance the melody rather than drape like ornaments around it. Strings, pedal steel and flute richen the music’s dreamy scope, as do the harmonies and traded vocals, both sailing into high registers.

The elaborate and tasteful orchestration elevates songs such as “Spend Your Life” to the type of heightened grandeur that can turn dew-painted lyrics (“How wonderful you are/You are the light that I saw from the car”) into deep profundities. For a band named after the coming deep freeze, here is music primed for melting.