On the Stairs, Ezza Rose and Audie Darling

Nate Clark's band On the Stairs takes a heaping portion of assistance from local musicians around town, and new album Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt features contributions from the likes of Leonard Mynx, Carcrashlander's Cory Gray, Autopilot Is for Lovers' Paul Seely, and Y la Bamba's Ben Meyercord. Still, despite this array of talent, Clark's songs are the focal point, where his deep voice sounds a little like Angels of Light's Michael Gira during a mellower moment. It's a folk-flecked record with loping melodies and graceful arrangements, and Clark's assured delivery splits the difference between world weariness and an optimistic confidence. Meanwhile, Audie Darling—who also appears on Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt—makes a welcome return to Portland after going out of town to record a new album. Darling excels at the kind of lost-in-time, bluegrassy ghost-folk that can't be faked. NED LANNAMANN