Mystic Chords of Memory

What do indie rockers do when all the amp-lugging, floor-sleeping, and Denny's dining begins to ring hollow? If you're Chris Gunst, one-time leader of L.A. countrydelic act Beachwood Sparks, you move to Santa Cruz, start listening to meditative instrumental music, and make home recordings with your girlfriend, Jen Cohen (former keyboardist for the Aislers Set). Mystic Chords of Memory is the sound of two relaxed people being hippies, er, happy. With willowy acoustic guitars and autoharp, gentle vocal harmonies, bleary synths, and chirping birds, the LP recalls Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey, if it had been recorded in a hammock. Lyrically, Gunst embraces his inner freak, trading places with a lobster, riding Noah's Ark, and talking to leaves about personal growth. While a bit twee at times, Mystic Chords nonetheless offers a graceful, winsome form of spirituality -- not what you'd expect from a recovering rock star.