The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/137502
A5 Brass Bed, Palma Violets deliver standout rock Bermuda shorts: Making women look stumpy for generations. Learning to speak a new style Language It's finally (finally!) spring, and I'm working on a whole new style vocabulary to go with the new season. Take, for example, Glamour magazine's insistence that Bermuda shorts are one of spring's "most wearable" trends. I have stared and stared at the photos accompanying this perplexing statement (you can see them, too, at http://glmr.me/ VwJSRs). What I see are some angrylooking models (why always so angry) wearing sloppy-looking, low-slung, floppy, baggy shorts. With heels and blouses. And try as I might, I can't figure out how the words "flattering," or "chic," correspond with what I'm seeing. But then, that's the thing with fashion. When you first encounter a major shift in the style paradox, it seems totally foreign, like hearing a different language. If this Bermuda short thing really catches on and is here to stay, I know from experience that I will be able to come back a year from now, look at these same photos, and see something totally different. It reminds me of learning French. When I first started out, all the words were sort of equally perplexing to me, and none of it made much sense. But after being exposed to the sounds of the language for a little while, it started to seem perfectly obvious that "avoir" meant "to have" and "aller," "to go." So I know I need to give myself some time to let things like Bermuda shorts sink in to my consciousness before passing judgment on them. I didn't learn French overnight, and I won't learn to love Bermuda shorts overnight, either. Emily F. Popek is not a big shortswearer, no matter how you cut it. She is also assistant editor of The Daily Star. Sometimes trends take over the new music scene and it's hard to find bands that just like to rock. While I enjoy some of the shoegazers and electronic dance music, I have been itching to let loose with a few bands that thrive on a strong beat. This month my dream was fulfilled to the point where I had to stop at two, for time and space reasons. The first came my way thanks to NPR's First Listen, a service from public radio that premieres selected new albums a week before they are released. The second album by the Louisiana-based The Palma Violets' debut album, '180' band Brass Bed, "The Secret Will Keep You," on the Internet with such songs as "Best was released last month and it is an early of Friends" and I am glad to report that candidate for top new band of the year. the group's recently released album "180" The influence of early Wilco on this album fulfills that promise. The London-based filled with songs that chronicle love and band formed in 2011. despair is evident. The group shows a skill They bring a vocal range that could help for building layers of sound that at times them have a bright future. For instance the feels like a painter on a canvas. That is lead song, "Best of Friends," shows the never more evident than on the first song, influence of the Clash. It starts off with a "Cold Chicory." The stark lyrics are shaded sound that is dense. The lyrics are angry first with a synthesiser that sounds like a and the music is meant to be played loud. hurdy-gurdy, then bass and guitar, "Step Up For the Cool Cats" displays their "A Bullet for You" is another standout — a English soul side, a la Morrissey. sonic masterwork including the sound of a helicopter. The feedback and staccato On songs like "Rattlesnake Highway" rhythms help accentuate the dysfunctional and and "Chicken Dippers," they display a relationship that is the subject of the song. diversity that should appeal to anyone who "Back and Forth" is another of enjoys their music influenced by the many noteworthy tracks. The the sounds of the '70s and '80s. musical intro leads the listener It has a rawness and spontaneity to lyrics that have a pop feel, but that should please anyone looking unveil the darkness that could lie for the best in new music. on the path of love: "I never knew believing could be such a difficult art. I'm terrified of the feeling that leads to a hole in the heart." Another band that rocks, Palma Violets, has gained a following Mark Boshnack is a reporter for The Daily Star, and a music fiend. He can be reached at mboshnack@thedailystar.com. May 9, 2013 O-Town Scene 5