The Lonely Forest

8 p.m. Thursday, October 13. Cicero's, 6691 Delmar Boulevard, University City.

Oct 13, 2011 at 4:00 am

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As the first band to sign to Chris Walla's Trans label, the Lonely Forest could use a war room full of spin doctors just to fend off the Death Cab for Cutie references. Instead, the Anacortes, Washington, band has embraced the moody pop template on its third album, Arrows, a release that should soothe the indie sensitivities of Death Cab fans while adding wrinkles of self-deprecation — "Turn Off This Song and Go Outside" overcomes its own self-loathing with a sneaky, sweet pop melody — and shifty vocals from John Van Deusen, an emo crooner who regularly gets in touch with his inner screamo.

Recommended Cocktail Pairing: A microbrew backed with a Jägerbomb, to get you through the slow songs and amped for the anthems.