Thurs, July 21, Jeremy Messersmith

On his sophomore album, The Reluctant Graveyard, Minneapolis’ Jeremy Messersmith has crafted a collection of bittersweet pop songs that are at once bouncy and ethereal. The album’s 11 tracks recall the likes of Elliott Smith, Fountains of Wayne and Belle and Sebastian—shot through with a heavy dose of ’60s nostalgia à la the Zombies, the Byrds and the Beau Brummels. While tracks such as “Toussaint Grey, First in Life and Death” and “A Girl, a Boy, and a Graveyard” are melancholy reflections, songs such as “Dillinger Eyes” and “Violet!” exude a classic Shindig! TV show dance-party vibe. Just try to keep your toes from tapping. 129 E Street in Davis, http://jeremymessersmith.com.