The Hand in the Ocean/Noon/Brian Straw (in the Locker Room)

Tree/Forts, the latest effort from the indie rock outfit the Hand in the Ocean, starts with the sound of quiet talking. It slowly builds as acoustic guitar kicks in. The vocals remain at whisper-level. The energy level picks up some on the banjo-driven “White Noise.” Not quite on Mumford & Sons level, the songs here have a folk-rock flavor. With its gruff, Tom Waits-like vocals, “Brackish” is the album highlight as it capitalizes on band’s outsider tendencies to deliver something really unique. (Jeff Niesel)