.: Ohbijou - Beacons (for realsies this time)

You know that movie, where this girl, who is in a struggling band and works temp jobs on the side, and this guy, who works as a writer for fortune cookie fortunes, meet, then have an emotional roller coaster through the four Canadian seasons in the heart of Toronto's downtown artistic community, going to indie concerts, hanging out at Trinity Bellwoods park, staring at stars, jamming together, building snowmen and falling in love slowly despite an unsure future because the girls band might make it big, but they struggle through their own selfish issues in order to learn how to love, even if it means learning to lose that love while moving on in a bittersweet life lesson, but not regret it because the year they did spend together was so good they have no regrets since it made them both better people?

No? Ok, well, it's because I made all that up. But if it DID exist, Ohbijou's latest album would be a perfect soundtrack for it.

'Beacons', the follow up to the orchestral pop ensemble's 2006 lp 'Swift Feet for Troubling Times' is, if anything, a consistent sophomore effort.

A familiar mix of cello and piano accompany lead singer Casey Mecija's fragile songs and even frailer lilting vocals. Ohbijou have always been known to craft a delicate sound, despite the bands propensity for using upwards of 8-10 instruments on a single track, and 'Beacons' is no exception.

Opener 'Intro to Season' doesn't take listeners far from the band's signature sound, but the pacing and energy of the song reveal a band more mature in its song craft and more realized in letting their musical talents shine through, a somehow subtle yet stark difference from the pure emotion that drove many of the tracks on 'Swift Feet'.

Still though, through and through, the main draw here is Mecija, who's voice makes you feel like she's whispering each song directly into your ear like a sweet nothing on a quiet Ontario night. The intimacy and sheer prettiness of her voice make it impossible to not get caught up in the swell of strings, horns and dreamy plucking banjo.

To be honest, I always thought Ohbijou sounded much better in studio than they do live, and this is mostly because despite being incredibly talented musicians, their product is inherently background music of the greatest kind. Taken on its own, the music may not immediately seem captivating. But listening to 'Beacons' will make you incredibly cognizant of the fact you are alive in the present. Backing a period in time, an event, emotions and thoughts -- it's music that makes a normal moment extraordinary, even if you're alone. It makes you feel like ... "hey, this moment in my life could absolutely be a scene in some hipster romance movie."

Basically, if you think you'd enjoy that fake movie I mentioned, you'll probably enjoy Ohbijou.

Also, they played a free gig at North York Central Library once. Yes, you read that correctly. How can you not think they're sweeties knowing that fact?

Curmudgeons need not apply.