July/August 2008 Issue

Music Review: Season of Sweets

Modey Lemon. <i>Birdman</i>.

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A spirit of adventure trumps musty revivalism on the fourth album from Pittsburgh’s irrepressible Modey Lemon. In sharp contrast to the pretentious posturing of some psychedelic bands such as the Black Angels, this goofy trio actually seems to have fun. Alternately detached and agitated—and rarely intelligible—singer and guitarist Phil Boyd stuffs tracks such as “The Peacock’s Eye” and “Milk Moustache” with sputtering fuzz-tone licks. Meanwhile, drummer Paul Quattrone imitates a hyperactive toddler, attempting to smash catchy tunes like “It Made You Dumb” to pieces. His virtuosity turns the 10-minute “Live Like Kids” into a dazzling head trip.

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We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

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