Charlie Mason writes the lyrics and sends them over to Dirk Homuth in Berlin. Homuth then writes the music and puts the songs to tape. This is the sort of system that generally results in disjointed (if intriguing) efforts that end up running out of steam. Not so here. This is the fifth album of this partnership, and the songs are as incisive and wondrous as ever.

Almost Charlie A Whisper in a World Too Loud (Words on Music)

Homuth is well-schooled in the Anglo-pop tradition, and Almost Charlie easily slips into that Beatles/Beach Boys/Byrds/Simon and Garfunkel tradition. Impossibly gorgeous hooks, tight acoustic guitar rhythms and copious harmonies that are somehow not too much. Each song is a cut gem, something that was as true on the first album as it is for every track here.

When people find out about my music writing, they often ask about my favorites. That's an impossible question for me to answer; I've got a couple hundred favorites, at the very least. But if I had to do a winnowing, I have a feeling that Almost Charlie would be there at the end. Few can match the writing (both lyrics and music), and Homuth's studio abilities create a myriad of understated masterpieces.

One album is a brilliant mistake. Two is the start of something grand. Five spectacular albums without a single bit of filler? It's time to admit the obvious: No one is as consistently brilliant as Almost Charlie. And while Homuth wears his influences on his sleeve, he has created his own pocket within that sound. Album of the year? For a sound this timeless, such an accolade would be prosaic. Another all-timer.

Jon Worley