Citay is led by Ezra Feinberg, who used to be the drummer for Piano Magic. Which might lead one to ask, "Piano Magic had a drummer?" We kid, but Feinbrug's former gig tells you little about Citay. Nor does the presence of Tim Green, best known for his work in the Fucking Champs. There's no gloomy indie pop here, no gnarly metal riffs. Instead, on their forthcoming sophomore album Little Kingdom, Citay's music combines warm, earthy Americana-- the bright harmonies and chiming instruments of West Coast folk-rock-- with some rather amazing solo guitar excursions.

Both Green and Feinburg are credited with guitars (the band also includes a half-dozen or so additional members, depending), so it's hard to know who is playing what; at times they seem to harmonize the leads, à la Duane Allman and Dickey Betts from the Allman Brothers. But the effect of the solos is oddly transporting, even sublime, which is not something you can say about a lot indie rock these days outside of Built to Spill.

Here on "First Fantasy", the album's opening track, you get a good sense of how the band is operating. The circular chord progression winds around, voices locked in harmony to sing about the slippery nature of time: "Last week was like a year ago/ Five years, just like yesterday." Organ and mandolin then join in as the tempo builds, until finally the song opens up and the jam begins. There's nothing flashy or technical, just a loose, in-the-pocket feel as the notes ride the changes; the economy of the playing reminds me of Dean Wareham's work in both Luna and Galaxie 500, which of course leads to Television and then on back to Sterling Morrision. It conjures a cheerful, celebratory vibe-- you hear this song and hope the warm weather holds on as long as possible.