Paean

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There is no shortage of super-earnest bands with a dozen members and twice that many instruments in Colorado. Paean, probably the flagship band of Fort Collins label Act So Big Forest, is one of the better entrants in the category (real number of members: six). Live, the act is consuming and mesmerizing, shifting instruments like an intramural volleyball team. Songs for Us to Sing, the band's debut full-length, comes with the expected higher production values than past efforts, which is very important when your music has this much going on. Still, some of the vibrancy is lost coming through headphones: This stuff is really meant to be shared and sung (hence the title), and the recording is occasionally ponderous. Still, there's power on this album, plenty of gradual builds to a soaring vista, a little something to tide you over while you wait for that third album from the Arcade Fire.