The Autumn Defense

The Autumn Defense has the side-project thing down. Wilco's John Stirratt and Pat Sansone obviously put a lot of work into the band, and the results recall the long-gone days of AM radio, but never do the pair sound as if they're trying to overshadow-or even shadow-their main gig. They do it 'cause it's fun, and they do it because it sounds good. It's music full of pleasant melodies but free of pretension.