Four brand new gems from our loved ones to the west, San Francisco's Thinking Fellers. Seeing as how last year's Mother of All Saints double LP virtually redefined the "indie-rock dynamic," there was little doubt that the Union would fail to please. And sure enough, these lengthy, listener-friendly songs reveal a subtler, maturing buncha weirdos. The focus is on well-crafted guitar harmonies, a sweetened mix of anthemic, shuffling Kroft family hoe-downs with gnawing hooks and barbs that stay crunchy in milk. But beware, it's only an extended player so this teaser needs a main course and quick. Do I hear tour support? (Franz Kunst)