Treble & Tremble (2004)

It's no accident that the slow epiphanies, via minor chords and breathy introspection, on Earlimart's fourth album plunge you deep into Elliott Smith land. Most of Treble & Tremble is about the band's late friend, making its early-morning melancholy and simple request to ''take care of your heart'' nothing short of gut-wrenching. On ''All They Ever Do Is Talk,'' singer Aaron Espinoza explains, ''Nothing's good until it hurts.'' For this record in mourning, that's especially true.