Rex: C

Looking for an alternative to the mediocre new Mazzy Star record Singer/guitarist Curtis Harvey is no Hope Sandoval, but his band works astonishing magic on its stately, beautiful sophomore CD. Where Mazzy Star sticks to one languid tone throughout its albums, Rex mixes its melancholy, countrified vibe with bursts of energy, compelling shifts in mood and gorgeous string arrangements. The band's 66-minute C opens with one of the year's most emotionally searing tracks, the seven-minute "Morning," and maintains that level of stellar quality pretty much throughout—perhaps even exceeding it on the title song. This isn't just good "slow-core," or whatever the hell you call indie-rock music that's played with subtlety, style, precision and grace. C is simply terrific late-night-brooding music in a year that's filled with it.