ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE
STAGES
CHORD ORCHARD
Recorded by Alex and Thomas White in tribute to their mother, who died during the six years since 2013’s IDIOTS, this fifth album is a redemptive collection that, though only seven songs long, stretches to a worthwhile hour. Opener Saturday’s twanging guitars suggest Richard Hawley’s casual elegance, while The Bargain offers calm verses before its choruses ascend with a nod to Bowie’s golden years. At other times, as on the 12-minute On Your Own, they sound like Travis at their best, were they not concerned about daytime radio play. Mum would be proud. WW