Amit Erez - Black Light (2006)

Like numerous Israeli alternative rock artists who emerged a few years on either side of 2000, Amit Erez takes many cues from the late-'60s/early-'70s era of folk-rock, particularly the haunting, slightly acid folk-influenced British variety. This five-song EP has pretty but not precious songs in the style, at times reminiscent of artists such as Nick Drake and the post-Pink Floyd Syd Barrett (complete with enigmatic lyrics) What sets Erez aside from many such artists, regardless of their nationality, is his accomplished finger-picked acoustic guitar playing, which is on the level of many of the troubadours who originated this type of singer-songwriting a few decades before this release. It's not a major statement -- few EPs are -- but it's a pleasing one, with just a bit of keyboards, drums, violin, and backup vocals surrounding Erez's mild vocals in the suitably stark arrangements.