The Beta Band - Hot Shots II

That scene in High Fidelity, where Rob (John Cusak) hooks customers in his Championship Vinyl record shop by playing an album of trippy pop, has done wonders for this cool, unassuming Scottish quartet. On its second full-length disc, the once-obscure band delves deeper into dub, electronica and other dreamy soundscapes. While most of it has a sunny vibe, one tracks cleverly turns Harry Nilsson’s “One” into a nightmarish rap about “virtual reality.” Serious headphone music.