Around Valentine's Day, music has the tendency to degenerate into trite love songs and Kenny G Hallmark-inspired drivel so wimpy that even the guys responsible for elevator music cover their ears.

With bassoonist Rachael Elliott and percussionist Thomas Kozumplik on temporary hiatus, Clogs pares down to a duo, leaving guitarist Bryce Dessner and violinist/violist Padma Newsome as the driving ...