Joel Plaskett - Ashtray Rock

Reuniting with producer Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar, who produced last year's Make a Little Noise EP, Plaskett has come up with what is easily his most ambitious work yet. A concept album, Ashtray Rock-his third full-length with his band, the Emergency-comes complete with interludes, instrumental bits, a spoken-word spot, songs that work best in context, and others that stand alone. Of the last category, the first single "Fashionable People" is bubbling, infectious pop mixing power chords, handclaps, and a borderline-silly falsetto chorus. The 12-string-based "Face of the Earth" features a soaring melody and heartbroken lyrics, and "Nothing More to Say" plays out as a string-enhanced, stinging show of resentment and anger.