J. Spencer Portillo and Caroline Rippy-Portillo are the driving force of this band, though they welcome the talents of a bevy of studio-savvy friends. The result of a platter of dissociative western-ish songs that quickly create their own time and space. Western gothic, if you will.

The Division Men Hymns and Fiery Dances (Motor Music)

It's easy to hear the influences tumbling one after another, but they generally fall into place while continuing to build the sound. The diverse and sizable number of contributors also helps each song to find its own space within the album.

This isn't the first outing for the Division Men, but it's easily the most creative and diverse set the duo has set loose. Not to hammer the point home, but when you work with more than a dozen of the best session types around, chances are sparks will fly.

A cool, satisfying canter over the high plains. The Division Men plays to the end without conceding a second to convention. Settle in and feel the sunset long before the rays go red. The end is always comes sooner than expected.

Jon Worley