WHO: A dramatic, daring and dreamy Montreal orch-pop collective led by the multi-instrumentalist, composer and visionary Murray A. Lightburn.

WHAT: The artful No Cities Left is the group's fifth release, second full-length, and perhaps one of the most ambitious and magnificent Canadian albums of this or any other year. Combining lush, richly textured layers of orchestral grandeur, exquisite melody, languid groove, shoegazing ambience and cinematic depth, these dozen breathtaking tracks provide a majestic backdrop for Lightburn's strummy guitars, fragile yearning, Britrock influences and dusty, Bowiesque vocals. Truly an album that must be heard to be believed.

WHERE & WHEN: The Dears return to the Pyramid Cabaret in Winnipeg Monday night. We suspect their inclusion in the Jazz Fest roster is more scheduling coincidence than anything else, but whatever. Tickets are $10 at Ticketmaster.

WHY: Because even this week, man does not live by jazz alone. (More on The Dears.)

Track Listing
1. Tried and Tested
2. Open
3. All Our Dark Tomorrows
4. Trickle Down
5. Everywhere Dance
6. Put It In Your Heart
7. Postcards From Cambodia
8. Wait No More
9. Celestial Horses
10. You've Never Seen Everything
11. Don't Forget About Delight
12. Messenger Wind -->