Ashley Park - Town and Country (2000)

While his previous efforts with Cinnamon and Saturnhead spotlighted Terry Miles' prodigious gifts as a composer, the debut release from his Ashley Park project reveals a similarly impressive skill as an arranger. Although Town and Country recalls all the usual chamber pop reference points (Beatles to Beach Boys to Bacharach, basically), what sets it apart from the pack is its distinctively airy, pastoral sonic landscape -- the songs positively radiate the warmth of the sun, buoyed by Miles' bouncy, ingratiating melodies and lavishly retro production. It's misleading to suggest that the record breaks any new ground -- even Ashley Park's most engaging moments offer nothing dozens of other contemporary bands (not to mention legions of vintage artists) haven't already delivered -- but at the same time, there's no denying that what Town and Country does, it does exceedingly well.