Nonstandard

If you're only going to like one new band a year, these days, my advice is to make it a good one.  Luckily, I practice what I preach.  After standing around Rockwood Music Hall for 2 hours and having a beer spilled on my coat and bag, I contemplated going home.  But I'm glad I didn't because eventually the Spring Standards came on and it was all worth it.

The band's name makes me laugh since their songs are the mostly wildly divergent ones I've ever head.  Some have a decidedly country feel, while others remind me of Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon (they played a cover of "Peace Like a River" to confirm this feeling), the Wallflowers, and Metric.  Maybe they manage to sound like such a wide range of other artists because all three of the members (who also have a bass player but seem to mostly consider themselves a trio) take turns singing.  But they've got something unique as well.  On their latest album, Yellow//Gold, I'd preferred some of the quieter pieces but live, they really rock out on the bigger tracks.  Their performance was exactly what I'd hoped for--made me forget my tired feet and just lose myself in the music. 

Go out and see some good music.  It's an excellent way to usher in the spring.