David Grubbs probably runs in terror anytime someone mentions that he was in Squirrel Bait; his songwriting sure as hell orbits far, far away from punk. Here he teams up with drummer Andrea Belfi (Rhys Chatham, Mike Watt) and Stefano Pilia, the guitarist of 3/4HadBeenEliminated known for his electro-acoustic work. As the title of the album suggests, the mood here is airy and open; minimal guitar notes float in and out of spare brushwork, with emphasis on peaceful atmosphere. “City Rats on a Mountain Pass” comes closest to an established rhythm, with Belfi showing patience behind the kit, while Grubbs’ piano parachutes in with necessary accents. The title track adheres to pop structure, and is where Grubbs’ voice provides a welcome respite from the album’s overall slow, suspended burn. These five songs won’t gratify easily, but if you’re looking inward, it gives you ample solitude.