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Maddeningly eclectic, ritualistically '60s/'70s, and full of sheer pop profundity, PAS/CAL are the best almost new band of the year. As with other acts on the equally maddening and inventive Le Grand Magistery label ("A Label of Love Since 1996"), PAS/CAL is virtually busting at the seams with talent and goodwill for all.

I Was Raised On Matthew, Luke & Laura is a pure headrush of circus-crazy drumming, glorious vocal harmonies, and rave up guitars, its collective force like watching three pop music-savvy, exceptionally sophisticated bands take the stage all at once.  PAS/CAL embodies all the great pop traditions of the past and molds them together with quick wit and verve-acious flash and panache. Songs like "You Were Too Old For Me" are impossible to resist, its grand strutting beat recalling T Rex, its hyper gleeful unisex vocals summoning comparisons to Sweet, Supergrass, Bowie, and Andrew Gold. Full of dizzy rhythmic twists and party crashing musicianship, "You Were Too Old For Me" grabs your ears as it drags your heart along on its glorious thrill ride.

In 2003 Le Grand Magistery released PAS/CAL's debut, The Handbag Memories. To keep afloat, they licensed one track ("The Bronze Beached Boys [Come On Let's Go])" for a Saturn commercial, but don't hold that against them. Soon more EPs were released, including Oh Honey We're Ridiculous and Dear Sir. The band also released hot vinyl 12 inches on its own Romantic Air label.

But I Was Raised on Matthew, Luke & Laura is the state of PAS/CAL's art. If you love your pop served up spinning 100 plates of harmony, swift melody and mad rhythm then PAS/CAL will serve your needs, wishes and dreams.

And to think, PAS/CAL hails from Detroit, the land of Motown, dying urban industries and deer walking deserted downtown streets. Rebirth arrives in strange ways, indeed.

PAS/CAL: "You Were Too Old For Me"  (MP3, 6:01)

Don Cavalli's CryLand: French expat Don Cavalli has this thing for the blues. Singing in a smooth wine-soaked wail often punctuated by New Orleans or Jamaican inflections, Cavalli makes the blues his own, regardless of his native country. Recalling Lightnin' Slim, R.L. Burnside or even Muddy Waters, Cavalli injects CryLand with a laidback gleam that recalls some lost ‘60s weekend on Chicago's south side.  Singing like his mouth is full of rocks and bourbon, he chants over a muddy wah-wah guitar in the hypnotic "I'm Going To A River," creates a surprisingly childlike warmth in "Gloom Uprising," and struts like primo early ‘70s Clapton on the sassy "Casual Worker." A scorching guitar player, passionate singer and gifted songwriter, Don Cavalli's CryLand is a major find.                      

Don Cavalli & The Two Timers: "Gloom Uprising"  (MP3, 3:38)

Don Cavalli & The Two Timers: "New Hollywood Babylon"  (MP3, 3:42)