I Want My New CD

After nearly 10 years since their debut album, a cappella band Retrocity has finally released their sophomore album entitled Mixtape. For the occasion, they had an early show on Tuesday at clubby Mod Club in Little Italy instead of their usual haunt at Lula Lounge. It was a good decision as they noted halfway through their 2nd set: "You guys are the best audience we've ever had, maybe we should make you stand more often." Darn right. It's hard to get people really excited with the sit-down dinner-and-a-show feel at Lula.

They also hearkened back to their livelier bar-playing days. The 80s get-up didn't return (though I saw a few over-sized clothes and hair in the audience), but Retrocity did resurrect cheesy TV themes including MTV and Family Ties in their set. For the occasion, they also included some basic but fun choreography which encouraged the lighting guy to play around with the stage lights. The Mod Club's massive sound system also made all the great harmonies and sound effects came out crystal clear.

Retrocity's repertoire is so much more than what they've recorded so for every "classic" tune (Human Nature) and new song (Need You Tonight, Father Figure), there were also live-only numbers. Tonight that included Mr. Roboto, Go For Soda, and a guest appearance by Martha Johnson (of 80s band Martha and the Muffins) on Black Station, White Station. She wasn't the only singer in the audience for the evening. There was a grinning Emilie-Claire Barlowe enjoying the music, and a "flash mob" from City Choir who joined in on The Parachute Club's Rise Up.