Drew Smith's Lonely Choir

It’s probably no accident that the name Drew Smith’s Lonely Choir sounds a bit like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; the album contains glimmers of the same savvy that possessed the Beatles, the Kinks and, as referenced in “Nilsson Sings Newman,” Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman. Austinite Drew Smith’s incredibly well-crafted lyrics (from “New Year’s Day”: “The drama in growing old/is you’re unsure you’ll get there”); inventive melodies proffering pop, blues and even twang (or in “NYC Song,” all three); some Sgt. Pepper’s/Kinksian/post-Vaudeville flourishes; and a roster of well-known supporting players convey this is no first-timer’s effort. But until now, Smith apparently labored in obscurity. With this album, he’s put an end to that.