Loose-limbed and fluid, A Suitable Frame delivers a number of memorable, gracious songs. Using the eclectic instrumentation (saw, accordion, lap steel, ukelele and insects are all featured instruments) which seems to be a given for any Chicago band, leader Mark Janka and friends nevertheless come off, at certain moments, like a brogueless and less acidic Belle and Sebastian.

Meandering over a number of romantic topics, The Lesser Birds of Paradise provide some really fine bits of songwriting -- take “Row of Lights”, based on a John Steinbeck short story entitled “Saint Katy the Virgin.” In the story, Katy (a pig) performs miracles and attains sainthood; in the song, Janka approaches Katy for mercy and forgiveness. Guess you can add The Lesser Birds to the growing list of spiritually-oriented rock bands, alongside the likes of Low and Pedro the Lion. Unlike those bands, The Lesser Birds aren’t well-known Christians. Of course, they aren’t well-known anythings, so it’s not clear where this spiritual orientation comes from. Like the work of those bands, however, the music on A Suitable Frame is low-key and quiet, seeming to emanate from a graceful and still center.

The Lesser Birds misstep a few times (the poppy “When You’re a Pretty Girl” never fails to jump up and down on my last nerve), but they hit the mark most of the time. A Suitable Frame has not only earned them lots of time in my CD player, but has moved the Lesser Birds into prime position on my list of bands to watch in the future.