Tom Lynch

If you haven’t experienced this yet, do it now—Chicago’s indie-pop slaughterhouse Office is set to release the much anticipated "A Night at the Ritz" in late September on Scratchie/New Line Records, which features thirteen pristine musical blitzes that each have the pleasant surprise of that first drink of a spiked punch. The record features some of the same songs from 2005’s self-released "Q&A," and however you feel about the band choosing that route, they’re still good songs—a handful you won’t get out of your head anytime soon. Live, Office is simply pulsing, a glance back at some of the great pop of the 1980s, but also a mix of some of the best we hear today. (Not to say the sound isn’t original—Scott Masson and his crew involve electronics within the guitar pop quite convincingly, better than most peers that try the same, and the resulting dance fever makes things humid). Wear comfortable shoes.

Office plays August 10 at Schubas, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508, at 9pm.

(2007-08-07)

Also by Tom Lynch

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