In addition to being deep cuts, these Seattle songs sound similar:

"At Rest" by Past Lives

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"Ran" by Foscil

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Both are quiet storm variations, woodwind and trumpet-based and drum machine-assisted. Both transmit a pensive feeling. Both recall jazz but are not jazz.

"At Rest" is totally unlike anything else in Past Lives' catalog — the rest of its "Tapestry of Webs" album (out Feb. 23) is mostly loud rock — and is a major artistic success, proof the band doesn't have to use all its elements all the time (drummer Mark Gajadhar and singer/howler Jordan Blilie are notably absent). A sense of space is created by the gently flanged drum machine ticking and brittle, reverb-y electric guitar strums. The subtle, droning bass tones and tenuous melody from whatever instrument that is (bass clarinet?) imbue a certain warmth. The whole thing is wonderfully restrained.

"Ran," by contrast, is quintessential Foscil, a winningly melancholic melody and hybrid electro/acoustic arrangement that captivates without making a big deal of itself, undergoing near-imperceptible permutations throughout the song.

The seeming idea-sharing between Past Lives and Foscil makes sense: Foscil's Tyler Swan (drums) and Past Lives' Devin Welch (guitar) play together in darko-dub band Flexions (also local), whose 2009 "Leisure Time" album was recorded by Swan's brother Adam (also in Foscil). All three bands are affiliated with The Journal of Popular Noise, which releases music on prettily-packaged vinyl, and Seattle's Eastside suburbs, where their members grew up.

Foscil opens for DJ Krush at Neumos Sunday, Jan. 31. Check my preview here. Talking with Adam Swan recently, he told me his band's been practicing and is taking the concert very seriously.