Built For Two (Hundred)

Lula Lounge usually hosts an older set, being a restaurant/lounge that showcases World Music, Jazz, etc. But a large young crowd arrived Thursday night to dance to some fun music. Oddly enough, there was something nostalgic about the evening.

If the usual suspects came tonight, they would feel at home with the opening set by The Magic. With a full band tonight instead of just the two brothers, they played songs with a heavy 70s retro feel complete with funky bass, wah-wah synth, and falsetto singing. Dressed in cat-themed sheath dresses or red turtlenecks with gold tassels, the singers wailed and shimmied on stage. Whether it was Magic Love, Mr Hollywood, or Call Me Up from their Ragged Gold LP or new songs Right By Me and If I Were You, you can't help but shake your booty.

Anyone buying a Hooded Fang CD based on tonight's performance would be in for a shock. They have abandoned their layered sunny pop for noisier pop-punk. Tonight, they played all new songs composed in this vein. Though they seemed lackadaisical last time round, they were now more settled and cohesive in their new sound. They can still put a catchy hook or two in their music.

The raucous audience came for The Bicycles' CD release party. This sugary twee pop band came out of the Toronto scene circa 2006. Having disbanded in 2010, they unexpectedly reunited for new album Stop Thinking So Much. Many were obviously happy to hear music from their "youth" and danced throughout the night. Though their set had its share of sweet harmonized pop, especially numbers from their older music (B-B-Bicycles), their new songs ranged from country to straight up rock. No doubt the variety came about because they all contributed to the new album. Despite her ferocious drumming on most numbers, Dana Snell's songs such as Appalachian Mountain Station were more wistful folk.

Instead of returning to chants of "encore" or "one more song", The Bicycles came back on stage after the crowd sang "happy birthday" to band-member Matt Beckett. For fans devoted (or ironically hipster) enough to toss bras on stage, it was a chance for a little more dancing (and even a small amount of crowd-surfing).