Richard Davies’ brand of pop song craftsmanship keeps changing. This Sydney, Australia, native sang off-kilter psychedelia with the Moles and, after moving to Boston, created gorgeous strings and brass with Eric Mathews in Cardinal. After a sparsely structured solo debut, this 32-year-old has released his folky new Telegraph. His songbook once evoked comparisons to the polished, minor-chord melancholia of the Left Banke; Davies mixes rustic strumming, Crosby, Stills, & Nash harmonies, and the busy wordplay of the Chills and the Go-Betweens. While the arrangements on Telegraph aren’t quite as ingratiating as those of his finest, Davies’ plaintive vocals and tasteful accompaniment are charming enough. With Ted Leo at 10 p.m. at Metro Cafe, 1522 14th St. NW. $7. (202) 518-7900. (SK)