Maps & Atlases frontman, Dave Davison’s solo project, Cast Spells is seeing a limited edition vinyl release (on 100 gram clear wax!) of their album Bright Works and Baton on May 4 via Dovecoat Records (originally released on CD via Sargent House).

Cast Spells avoids much of the precision-yet-spastic guitar tomfoolery of M&A in exchange for more laid-back pop-folk fare. Think Beach House if they’d just take their Prozac. Davison’s signature nasal croon, akin to an indie rock Tom Petty or a less gloomy Neil Young, is also on display.You can catch Davison and Cast Spells playing all over Chicago, but not this month as they’re on tour in Europe.

www.myspace.com/castspells

Here’s the track list for Bright Works and Baton. If you’re unsure of what “Side A” and “Side B” means, please refer to Wikipedia.

Side A
1 Glamorous Glowing
2 War Story Hellos
3 All Brass

Side B
4 Potted Plant
5 Pioneer Scalps (download free MP3)
6 American Quilts
7 A Badge

Those of you not familiar with Maps & Atlases should check them out. The band formed while the four members were attending Columbia College Chicago in the mid-aughts. Davison, who sings and plays guitar is joined by Erin Elders on guitar, Shiraz Dada on bass and Chris Hainey on drums. Seriously, if you’ve never heard of this band, prepare to have your mind blown in a few seconds. They’re easily some of the finest musicians I’ve ever let crash on my couch.

This is a Belmont Sessions recording of “Ted Zancha.”