A week or two ago (apparently), Pitchfork slipped a track by Portland’s Sexton Blake into their Forkcast, and it went right by me (mainly because it’s a Springsteen cover, and I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty Springsteened out). But last night, I got an email from a trusted Friend Of Ol’ Catbird, saying that he had just seen Sexton Blake play at PDX Pop Now, and he had picked up the new covers CD, Sexton Blake Plays The Hits, and that he thinks it may be his favorite album of the year. Stong words to be sure, but as my source is not a music blogger, I’d say he probably actually means that when he says it. So I went and checked out the CD Baby page, and not only are the cover song choices interesting (”Life In A Northern Town,” “Logical Song,” “Rush Rush(!?!)”), but they also don’t seem to be all gimmicky and silly. Just sounds like some really sweet, lilting, Pacific NW bedroom pop– and it’s songs you already know and love.