Wow...I took the morning off so I could sleep in after a night of concert going, and I couldn't sleep in...(sigh!) At least I saw a terrific show last night at Schubas. The Lackloves did a 35-40 minute set. They have a new album out in the next few months, and previewed some tracks from it. If you are a fan of their first two discs, you will not be disappointed. A couple songs even showed off a more Byrdsy type jangle than on previous efforts. The third song of their set (Mike Jarvis told me the title afterwards, but I've already forgot, so I will make up a title -- "Occam's Razor, Bartman's Failure (Either Way, The Cubs Lose)") was one of those songs. In addition to this slight sonic difference, the song was one of the band's most sophisticated compositions -- it goes to a few different places, without losing any of the typical Lackloves catchiness. Moreover, the band showed that you can play jangly pop yet have some muscle -- they sounded great, aided by a crisp sound mix that made things really punchy. They were on. They were then followed by lablemates RockFour. And the Israeli quartet remains one of the best live bands on the planet. Their new album, NATIONWIDE, is their best English language record yet, balancing their pop and psych sides perfectly, while showing the ability to absorb new influences within their distinctive sound. In their hour long performance (they were second on the bill, so kudos to Schubas to allow for a bit longer set than an opener would usually get), they ably integrated new material with old live standbys. Indeed, the confidence in the material showed early, as they did the first three songs off the new album, albeit in reverse order. These songs -- "Next Monroe", "Nationwide" and "Honey" aren't quite as explosive as some of their fare, but they are all top notch. This benefited the live set -- they started with a bang (I'm horrible with titles -- the song about astronauts..."Astronauts", right?), went poppy, built to another freakout crescendo number, and then did a similar set build up during the second half of the set, leading to a stupendous version of their original "Route 66" -- Baruch Ben Izhak just freaked out, buidlig from slow, bluesy guitar solo until the band went into interstellar overdrive. The crowd was decent -- they have a bit of an audience in Chicago, evident by the punters up in front following singer Eli Lulai's every move and the pocket of Israelis in a corner who chanted some Yiddish phrase that must have meant 'Encore!', as the band got one more song. What dazzles about this band? Incredible guitarist? Check. Drummer who is Keith Moon-like, yet can play with the feel of Ringo Starr when needed. A compelling passionate frontman (Eli came into the crowd for one song, and basically gave an acquaintance of mine a brief standing lap dance!). A bass player who makes sure the song stays on track, and some of the best harmony vocals on the planet. Add a total commitment to their material -- have they ever just mailed it in? -- and you have a must-see live band. A couple friends came out to see them based only on my recommendation and walked out with newly purchased discs. They were blown away. I finally got to meet some of the guys, who were super nice -- they were so gracious regarding the reviews I've written of their albums. It's weird -- it's nice to be appreciated, but my writing a review is nothing compared to making such great music. Anyway -- they're in Indy tonight, Milwaukee tomorrow night (w/Los Lackloves again), they'll play some gigs at SXSW -- catch them if you can. Mike Bennett NP: Echo and the Bunnymen -- OCEAN RAIN Record reviews and more at http://fufkin.com _________________________________________________________________ Create a Job Alert on MSN Careers and enter for a chance to win $1000! http://msn.careerbuilder.com/promo/kaday.htm?siteid=CBMSN_1K&sc_extcmp=JS_JASweep_MSNHotm2