For this, its fifth studio effort, the LT journeyed to Arizona to be produced by Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Steve Wynn). With the judicious addition of pedal steel guitar and Brian Wilson-ish touches (such as the subtly wheezing bass-harmonica on "3 = Wild"), this self-titled gem stands proudly alongside the band's previous releases while expanding its palette a bit. The inspiration of the orchestrated songcraft of Burt Bacharach and Jimmy Webb looms over the proceedings: The cinematic "Song for the Ending Day," with its aching "Wichita Lineman"-type strings, rich Hammond organ, and wryly wistful crooned vocal, distills romantic yearning better than any song this year, sounding like an escapee from the soundtrack to Midnight Cowboy or a Natalie Wood movie; elsewhere, there are South of the Border trumpets evoking the wide-open way to San Jose. The Ladybug Transistor takes you to a lonesome day where your only companions are a cup of hot chocolate, your favorite blanket, and deliciously bittersweet memories.
