Former Clap Your Hands Say Yeah frontman Alec Ounsworth had a busy 2009. On October 20th, he released his first full length album, Mo’ Beauty, with a whole new lineup of musicians. He also unveiled Skin and Bone on August 11th with his all-star side project Flashy Python. The new year brings a bunch of newly added dates supporting indie darlings the Cold War Kids, and far more dates after that. Needless to say, with all of the positive attention he has been getting, Ounsworth’s music is worth a listen or two, or seven. His lively folk-pop is aglow with layers of vocals and glossy guitar. Horns punch through, helped along by surprisingly propulsive drumbeats. Although many things seem out of place in the music of Mo’ Beauty, everything is tied down expertly by Ounsworth’s brilliant song crafting. The best song is the uplifting “That Is Not My Home (After Bruegel)”, filled with a reverb-drenched chorus and sporadic brass instruments that provide a wall of splendid pop sound. Catching your ears and nailing them to your headphones, Ounsworth takes you through the mind of a maestro, and you return from the journey with more than your money’s worth. Catch him at Johnny Brenda’s tonight with special guests Meth Beach and Jamey Robinson (of Buffalo Stance). Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, 21+ myspace.com/alecounsworth – James Sanderson