In the finest tradition of indie pop, Sweet Nobody sings really depressing songs with an almost cloying sweetness. The juxtaposition is startling, and it succeeds in adding a meta layer to these songs. Not unlike the blues, hearing these tales of woe might well leave a listener feeling better (and stuck with more than one earworm).

Sweet Nobody We're Trying Our Best (Daydream Records)

Best of all, the band likes to ramble around the sound, bringing plenty of throbbing energy and pensive introspection into the music. If not for Joy Deyo's cheery-yet-steely voice, this album might sound more like a compilation than the work of one group.

But one group it is, and every song on this album draws from the energy and enthusiasm of the band. This album has been on the shelf for about a year, but it's far from stale. It's a breath of fresh air, even if the lyrical content is a bit more fetid.

Altogether lovely, especially with the darker themes. There isn't a clunker in the set, and more than one song has the feel of an all-timer. If you can hear this and remain depressed, well, lithium ain't gonna help, either. This one is right on time.

Jon Worley