Tom Lynch

One of the finest new bands I've heard in a long, long time, local sextet The 1900s celebrate the release of their debut EP "Plume Delivery" (Parasol Records) this week, a blissful six-song collection of sixties pop-inspired treasure, fueled by delicate songwriting and elegant vocal harmonies, graceful string accompaniment and sturdy use of keyboards. It's been said before, but the band channels the likes of the Velvet Underground, The Zombies and Belle & Sebastian and, in my opinion, perhaps more convincingly and with more confidence then any other band that has tried before. The sheer joyousness of the band's work haunts you with affection. The best part is that audiences are catching on--the band recently sold out a show at the Hideout--and the layers upon layers of subtlety and substance within each song leave much to be discovered, well after multiple listens.

The 1900s play June 3 at Schubas, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508, at 10pm. $8.

(2006-05-30)

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