Jace Lasek’s Montreal-based group – here featuring moonlighting members of The Dears and Godspeed You! Black Emperor – mix loud, reverb-heavy guitars, grandiose orchestration and prog-rock soundscapes with Beach Boys harmonies.

Trying to incorporate all these disparate elements is a bold move, but Lasek’s ambition has resulted in an amazing album: songs such as “Disaster” are as beautiful as they are dark and disturbing.

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Best of all, “For Agent 13” sounds like Galaxie 500’s 1989 masterpiece On Fire would have, had Galaxie 500 hailed from Twin Peaks rather than Boston.

NATHANIEL CRAMP