It's Better for the City

I truly appreciate when my friends turn me on to things I'd never heard of before (Dirty Pop, still looking forward to hearing more of tapes 'n tapes). Thanks, country feedback, for sharing with me The Modern Skirts.

The Modern Skirts is yet another potential success story out of Athens. They're rubbing shoulders with an icon of modern rock (who put Athens on the pop music map) and his wannabe puppy-dog sidekick. As for the music, think Ben Folds Five with more guitar and less jokiness. The singer is a great vocalist with a voice that reminded me so much of the Farm's lead singer that I had to look it up to make sure it wasn't him (it's not). He also crosses into the stylistic sound of Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears and, at a few minor points on the album, the quirkiness of They Might Be Giants. Speaking of the album, it's called Catalogue of Generous Men and it is a worthy find.

Preview tunes at theirspace, iTunes, and Not Lame. September Days is a standout for me.