Dust of Retreat (Exco)

Richard Edwards cements his reputation as a fast-rising singer-songwriter on this debut from Margot & the Nuclear So & So's. Just as there's never been an actual Marshall Tucker or Pink Floyd, there's no Margot in this group's lineup. Edwards borrowed the name from 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums, and his fascination with Wes Anderson's work should not be a mystery as both artists specialize in wry, bittersweet stories. When accompanied by nothing more than an acoustic guitar, his songs are strong enough to break hearts and shake convictions. But when his Margot bandmates add cello, trumpet, banjo and synthesizer in all the right places, the group makes music to please fans of folk, chamber pop and modern rock, working in the heady neighborhood of Elvis Costello and Paul Westerberg.