How high the moon

For their first full-length album, the Richmond-based Mason Brothers have built an apparent framework around three of the most common elements in the history of popular song: the sun, the moon and the sea (also the album's title).

Sensible, then, that their songs would also draw on familiar musical elements: comforting acoustic arrangements, augmented by tasteful starbursts of lap steel guitar and memorable vocal harmonies. More demanding is to understand why these common elements result in such a revelatory listening experience, a new release that sounds absolutely timeless on first listen. The Mason Brothers have succeeded in wrestling new magic out of the universal, resulting in a new universe with a brighter sun, a higher moon and a deeper sea.

The Mason Brothers celebrate the release of their new CD on Thursday at The Camel, along with David Shultz, Pete Appleby and Josh Scolaro. $10 at the door includes a copy of "The Sun, the Moon & the Sea"; $5 for admission with no CD. The doors open at 8 p.m.-- Ryan Muldoon