Album: Zach Miskin, For Your Safety (Naive)

Anyone for the cello as the new saxophone?

Following impressive chamber music albums by violinist Olivier Manchon and bassist Esperenza Spalding, composer/cellist Miskin provides an intermittently compelling blend of ambient instrumentals with minimalist songs. His coup lies in getting members of the National, the Books and the Clogs to collaborate, and opener "Wasn't That Lucky" is a catchy slice of art-pop. "In the Ocean" has vocals and viola by Padma Newsome, while "I Fell Off a Cliff" features Bryce Dessner.