The O-town Scene

Music Notes by Mark Boshnack Newbies and goodies So many bands, so little time. That is typically how I feel at this time of year. I am still digging my way through the “best of” lists that I detailed my love for in my previous column. Here are some more of the favorites I have found from them: “Twin-Hand Movement,” by Lower Dens One of the most interest- ing groups is Lower Dens, whose first album was released in July. The song that is getting the most attention on the Inter- net is “I Get Nervous,” and it’s a great place to start. Lead singer Jana Hunter has a hypnotic voice that blends in smoothly with the band _ she also plays guitar. The group sometimes sounds like it’s are channeling the Velvet Underground in developing a hazy, languid sound that this listener could listen to for a long time. My only gripe would be that the vocals on the album are mixed way down. I hope they take better advantage of Hunter’s voice in future recordings. But, that is only a small problem in an album that delivers. They get into some great grooves on songs like “Blue & Silver” and “Tea Lights” and take the listener to some interesting places. You can see more of what this band is possible of, without any studio produc- tion, at npr.org under Tiny Desk Concert. “Sleep Forever,” by The Crocodiles The Crocodiles released its second album, “Sleep Forever,” in September. The group’s use of fuzz guitars and organ gives it a psyche- delic feel that got me hooked from the opening track. Songs like “Poison Apple,” filled with feedback and reverb, are a lot of fun to listen to. “Stoned to Death,” with lyrics as intriguing as “the whole world is an ocean, laughing while you drown,” shows these guys write songs that go with the sound. “Hearts of Love” is so upbeat with its rave-up sound that it threatened to dethrone the song by Dan- ish duo the Raveonettes that picks me up when I am a little down. But a quick listen to “You Want the Candy,” from the 2008 album “Lust Lust Lust” left that song safe for now. “The Fool,” by Warpaint The Raveonettes released its last album in 2009, but new band Warpaint has a similar sound on its first album, “The Fool.” But it also stakes out its own ground with rich, plain- tive sounding vocals heavy on the reverb. The tales of love often start simply, as in the first track, “Set Your Arms Downs,” but at about three minutes into the song, the band gets into a nice groove that lasts the rest of the way. That hypnotic sound continues on songs like “Warpaint” and “Undertow.” The group mixes it up a little bit later in the album, producing a work that feels like it comes from a band with a bright future. On the Radio a Vermont band that blends blues rock and soul is this week’s Friday Featured Artist on WUOW. Each Friday, from 8 to 9 p.m. the SUNY Oneonta- based NPR affiliate WUOW features a worthy artist. To listen, dial 104.7 FM in Oneonta or visit wuow.org. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, At right are five songs to get a feel for the group: 1. Medicine 2. Paris (ooh , la, la) 3. One Short 4. Night Tiny Light 5. Left Behind Jan. 6, 2011 O-Town Scene 13

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