Ellery

As long as lovers make music together, there will be bands like Cincinnati's Ellery.

by M.J. Fine

As long as lovers make music together, there will be bands like Cincinnati's Ellery. Tasha Golden sings lead and plays piano; husband Justin handles most of the guitars. (Producer Ric Hordinski, who's used to being a third wheel from his days in Over the Rhine, pitches in, too.) Their full-length debut, Lying Awake (Virt), is filled with beautifully broken-in songs of affection and forgiveness. In the Goldens' folk-rock compositions, love doesn't conquer fear — it just creates new worries to replace the old ones. People doubt ("Inside My Head"), they fight ("Songs for Lovers"), and they run off ("The Simple Things"). And "Arizona" is a gentle reminder that every long, happy marriage ends in death. But even when things look bleak, Tasha can't hide the hope in her voice. Spending all your time with your musical and romantic partner can be easy or excruciating. Ellery makes it sound effortless.

Fri., Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m., $12, with Julia Othmer, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.