Picnic – “Weather’s Fine, The” – [Shelflife Records]

humana   6/20/2013   A Library, CD

Let’s get one thing straight from the get-go: this is pop synth shoe gaze that’s a delight from start to finish. I had to ask my son where Estonia is since I’m trying to write this without looking things up on the web, and apparently it’s on the Balkan Sea near Russia. What matters is that Marju Taukar writes the lyrics she sings in such a pretty, hazy voice, and even though they are largely unintelligible, you feel they must be pleasant. The mood is definitely mellow, accented by guitar strums (3), bass (4), and programming–perfect for summer, carefree and full of sunshine slanting through clouds. 11 is my favorite, a gorgeous, ethereal, pulsatiing lullaby that anesthetizes your mind.