JON AUER: Songs from the Year of Our Demise (Pattern Records/2Feet)

THE lesser-known half of The Posies' songwriting duo – the other half being REM buddy Ken Stringfellow – has taken a while in getting around to releasing his solo debut. Not that he hasn't been busy with his band and the reformed Big Star, but Demise has clearly been a painstaking labour of love. Auer plays most of the instruments and his melodic gift is evident throughout, shining brightly on The Likes of You, Angelita, You Used to Drive Me Around and the brooding title track. This possesses all the pop hooks and the darker moods of his Posies work, only it seems even closer to the bone.

JEFF CRAWFORD