Francisco the Man/Gomez Addams

These guys had been through a hell of a lot before even getting to their debut album: seven years of ups and downs as an revolving-door instrumental band, a 2008-2010 hiatus, a near-death experience, etc. Good fodder for rock ‘n’ roll, as it were. Last fall, the band dropped Loose Ends, the long-in-the-works LP that cements the band’s dreamy shoegaze in an ambitious, borderline arena-like setting. Album opener “You & I” blends airy guitars against lyrics tinged with realism. Later on, “Loaded” touches on the band’s inclinations toward more danceable fare. Even as they create wide open spaces in their music, jaunty bass and drums hold down a steady groove. (Sandy)