The Proper Ornaments is a great name for a band infatuated with their record collections—a group that decorates their spare little songs with only the most finely curated influences, like so many baubles on a tree. The Beatles’ White Album here, Pink Floyd’s *Meddle *there. The Beta Band here, Yo La Tengo there. The Velvet Underground everywhere. But there’s no reason to be cynical about this London quartet. The Proper Ornaments are based primarily around the songwriting partnership of James Hoare (of the wonderful now demised Ultimate PaintingandVeronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold. Unlike some of their ’60s-loving, vinyl-obsessed peers it’s possible to separate your appreciation of the Ornaments’ nifty influences from your appreciation of their songs. The pair craft beguilingly simple, guitar-driven psych-pop stitched together by gorgeous, laidback harmonies.
The Fat Angel Sings 