The O-town Scene

New Music Notes |by Mark Boshnack Miracles of Modern Science 'Dog Year' A cello and violin are not instruments you associate with some of the freshest music on the indie scene. But in Miracles of Modern Science's first album, "Dog Year," those instruments are teamed up with several others _ but no guitars _ to produce music that not only rocks, but also has a sense of humor. Released in December, the album dis- plays the talents of five musicians, including Kieran Ledwidge on violin, Geoff McDonald on cello and Tyler Pines on drums. Mandolin player Josh Hirshfield met bass player and lead singer Evan Younger at Princeton University in 2004 to start the group. They experimented with a wide range of styles before arriving at the combination of rock and string quartet, with the others joining when all were in college. After gradua- tion, they got day jobs and moved to Brooklyn. If you haven't heard of the group, the Internet has some places to find out what you are missing. Check out their Facebook page by looking under BandPage. Their first single is "Eating Me Alive." Filled with lots of pluck- ing, the tale of indecisive love is made special at 1 minute and 42 seconds into the song with some crazy bow work. That attitude is what makes this music stand out and may have helped it be chosen as one of Wired magazine's top 100 songs of the year. Or listen to "Luminol." With its love-obsessed lyrics, strum- ming mandolins and Beach Boys-style back-up lyrics, it's easy to forget there are no guitars. My favorite song, though, is the opening track, "Moms Away!" Starting with a string jam, the tale of future longing has a passing reference to a classic science fiction story and a strange reference to Abra- ham Lincoln on the album that gives way to soaring lyrics. Then is a seamless segue into "Strangerous," a tale of frustra- tion and desire set in the here and now. Throughout the recording, this band delivers with music that is memorable and fun. Mark Boshnack is a reporter at The Daily Star and a music fiend. LISTEN TO: Eating Me Alive Luminol Moms Away! Strangerous Miracles of Modern Science 14 O-Town Scene Jan. 12, 2012

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