Delta Spirit, Other Lives

Over the past few years, Delta Spirit hasn't received quite as much attention as its jangly indie-pop peers (Cold War Kids, Tokyo Police Club). But that's not because the San Diego quintet lacks live chops or songwriting savvy. It could have more to do with the fact that the band's stripped-down brand of Americana-meets-white-boy soul isn't particularly trendy — or that the group doesn't resort to overly dramatic, spastic outbursts of unfocused energy for impact. Instead, Delta Spirit builds its case for relevance with a solid foundation of musical restraint, which allows vocalist Matthew Vasquez's poignant tales of personal spirituality and social optimism to shine through. Oklahoma dream-folk specialists Other Lives open with mellow, slightly psychedelic sway that blends '70s Brit-prog with hints of traditional Spanish guitar and melancholy piano and cello flourishes.