Kimon Kirk has been playing in the Boston background for a long time. He's probably most associated with Aimee Mann, but he's lent his playing and production skills to an impressive number of artists. He's finally put together his own album. And if you want to know what it sounds like, have a look at the cover. The title block has a neon glow, a large eye is superimposed over a generic California building and everything is washed out.

Kimon Kirk Altitude (Dos Kay Records)

Kirk borrows heavily from the Laurel Canyon sound. Some of these songs could easily be Jackson Browne singing lost Mamas and Papas songs. But there's a modern-ish touch as well. Another way to describe these songs would be Matthew Sweet playing heretofore unheard Big Star. Or, to wander into Kirk's americana bona fides, latter-day Jawhawks running back Aimee Mann. Something like that.

The feel is unhurried, and Kirk is utterly unafraid of mellow beauty. His skill as a producer is obvious, but his songwriting can't be ignored. These assured and confident songs do some heavy wandering without losing focus. Kirk's guitar does a great job of holding everything together, and his voice is just ethereal enough to launch the full package into a languid orbit.

When the day has been too much, it's time for Kimon Kirk. Put the kids to bed, grab a $10 bottle of wine and throw on the headphones. And hit repeat. When something this entrancing comes along, don't overthink it. Just go with the flow. Sublime.

Jon Worley