Tom Lynch

Eric Elbogen's lo-fi indie project Say Hi to Your Mom has released four pop-perfect, understated odes to conceptual heartbreak in as many years, including last year's genuine, overlooked "Ferocious Mopes" and now this summer's "Impeccable Blahs," surely the New York City songwriter's best work to date. "Impeccable Blahs" is, essentially, an album about vampires--bloodsuckers in love, in lust and scorned. Opener "These Fangs" touches just the right notes, musically and lyrically, with Elbogen's whispery vocal delivery and a soft-touch synthesizer making its mark on each chorus. "Blah Blah Blah" continues an electronic aura, the songwriter eerily and touchingly repeating "And I am gonna suck your blood." Elbogen's skill for achieving subtlety within the most outrageous of concepts hits a high point with "Impeccable Blahs"--it's a rock opera of secrets and coffins, lurking in the night. One of the best records of the year.

Say Hi to Your Mom plays July 21 at Beat Kitchen, 2100 West Belmont, (773)281-4444, at 6pm. $10. (2006-07-18)

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