August in Maine always threatens to become a quick non-sequitur into autumn. What better timing then, for SPACE to host Surprise Me Mr. Davis, a band whose bright and sunny pop can deviate toward a dark and foreboding sound of contemplation and lost love.
Though they’ve attracted little national attention to date, either the headliner or their opening act, Providence’s the Low Anthem, could be another band we’ll all be talking about in the next year. The Low Anthem is a trio who keep their performance within the bounds of somber low-fi. Employing a wide range of instruments — clarinet to banjo — their style spans everything from learnings of Brown Bird to a postmodern Neil Young.
Surprise Me Mr. Davis was not surprising if you expected a great time. All talented, and all good-looking, the band’s indie-rock tendencies are frequently interrupted by deconstructive ambience or dissonant harmonization. My favorite song, “I Hate Love,” could be an anthem for any Portlander. In our small city, who hasn’t hated love at one point in time?
Related:
Low and slow, Fresh tracks, Midnight ramblers, More 
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Van Morrison has joined the ranks of ridiculously expensive artists.
- Fresh tracks
It’s a big deal when Someday Providence gets new music out. Their new EP extends the band’s dedication to breezy pop, but also adds depth, dimension, and a wee bit of heaviness.
- Midnight ramblers
In rock ’n’ roll, it was possible to live in Harvard Square, be a musician — a local musician — and be able to pay your rent and find restaurants where you could eat and buy food and survive, and feel that there was a sense of . . . future, with hope and opportunity.
- Screening sounds
Great moments in film have always relied upon great music — and often Hollywood’s most memorable scenes are birthed from that perfect juxtaposition of song and image.
- The week in boners
With his new album expected to hit #1 on the Billboard charts this week, I think (Nasty) Nas is getting a bit swell-headed.
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They were, by definition, misfits.
- Loose Ends
It’s four in the morning and raining. I’m 27 today, feeling old, listening to my records, and remembering that things were different a decade ago.
- Start with some Spice
The game is on for the reunited Spice Girls.
- Offa my couch, Larroquette
In a video posted to his Web site, former Rolling Stone Ringo Starr has lovingly warned his fans to stop sending him fan mail.
- Music City Dos
Where to go in Nashville
- Dead End Armory
Don’t you love it when an already solid band just gets better?
- Less
Topics:
Live Reviews
, Neil Young
