Kevin Bronson on January 4th, 2010

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Just 10 months after the release of its sophomore album “Good Friends Only I Can See,” L.A. five-piece the French Semester returned in December with a new EP, “Forces Afield.” That makes two EPs and two full-lengths in two years, so give them points for productivity, anyway. The quintet’s understated but engaging folk-pop seems to be reaching for the urbane bite of the Go-Betweens (or the whimsy of ’90s U.K. act Hefner; anybody remember them?). And while too often the French Semester settles for less, singer-guitarist Riaz Tejani at least carries on a dialogue without coming off as whiny or cloying. You might even find yourself consulting the lyric sheet.

||| Download: “What’s in the Bag?”

||| Live: The French Semester kicks off its January residency tonight at the Echo, topping a bill that includes Letting Up Despite Great Faults, the Spires and Health Club.

Photo by Olivia Hemaratanatorn