Destroyer

Destroyer has long been the solo project of Dan Bejar, erstwhile New Pornographer and avid chronicler of the absurdities of modern art and modern life. A decadelong discography reveals many permutations of what could be called "the Destroyer sound," but his past few records have presented a clearer, more unified vision. For the recording of the recently released Trouble in Dreams, Bejar wisely retained the quartet that backed him on 2006's Destroyer's Rubies, which allowed him to build on the florid lushness and well-tempered madness of that breakthrough album. Nicholas Bragg's lead guitar provides regular shocks of Televsion-esque squalls, while Ted Bois ties things together with graceful keyboard figures (note the Baroque breakdown on "The State"). The band kicks, but Bejar remains the center of attention, with his magnetic, elastic voice conveying hidden universes through obtuse, confounding and utterly beguiling lyrics.