The songs of The Faraway Places have been around for a few years now, rabidly traded by fans of smart experimental pop lucky enough to get a hold of the demos. Initially, these demos were attributed to Boston based band "The Solar Saturday.” After moving to Los Angeles, changing a few band members around, changing the moniker to The Faraway Places the band finally released their debut, Unfocus On It. The Faraway Places' constants have remained keyboardist and singer Donna and Chris Colthart, the young man who writes and produces the songs. If you haven't already guessed, he also plays guitar, sings, and maintains well-groomed hair. Their current line-up includes drummer Chris Phillips (formerly of the Squirrel Nut Zippers) and bassist Scott Barber who happen to be their next-door neighbors (with a luscious looking swimming pool). Unfocus On It is full of the artful, self-made 60's pop for which the band was celebrated. Just check out the lush jangles on the opening track, "Marvelous Error", or the Faraway Places' orch-pop mini-masterpiece, "Summertime." Partially recorded in a remote New Hampshire cabin, Unfocus On It juxtaposes its chipper Californian tendencies with a loose, rural strangeness. Unfocus On It manages to sound at once soulful and spacey; personal and collaborative; precise, yet rounded with rough magical edges. Standard Jewel Case.