Anyone? Considering getting some of their stuff off eMusic. Any fans wanna tell me which is/are the key recording(s)?

hmm... this is a tricky band for albums. the first album is pretty mediocre, but has some excellent songs ("square heart" and "the old kind of summer"). the second album is pretty good throughout and has one tremendous song ("it's a crime i never told you about the diamonds in your eyes"). 3 is a lot like 1 - overall alright with a few standouts ("guess i'll forget you" and "till we have to say goodbye"). amore del tropico is probably the strongest from beginning to end. if you're a serious listener, that's one to get because it tries to stick with one narrative throughout. i really need to pick up the spell someday - probably tomorrow. i like everything i've heard from it.

and they have a handful of singles/EPs on various labels. none are amazing, but neither are they totally forgettable.

i suppose you're asking because you already know what they sound like, so i don't need to explain the gloomy nature, right?

Nope...never heard em. I got nothing.

well, they're ex-three mile pilot with somewhat of a similar sound, but black heart procession strikes me as much more sparse. it's piano-driven in a dismal indie-rock style - songs about heartache and isolation. each album usually has 1-2 upbeat songs, but most of their product is slow and dark. to quote a friend, "it's music to slit your wrists by - but in a good way."

I recommend 2 or -three-. I think they're the strongest front to back.

Edit: Disclaimer: I haven't heard the new one yet.

new one is excelente

I love their new one.