Written by Kirsten Hansen

It was a dark and stormy night... I just wanted to go home and play Tomb Raider but, no. Not with some of the best of Chicago's young talent on the bill at the Mercury Lounge. My friends, it was a no-brainer. The Merc has always been one of my favorite venues. It has a very humble facade with a barely legible marquis but it's the awesome sound system makes it one of the more popular clubs in Manhattan. It is just around the corner from the ultra-swank downtown hang, Max Fish, and only steps away from the legendary Katz's Deli, where buying tongue is actually legal! It probably doesn't hurt that they sell my favorite beer, either.

First up was Menthol, one of two bands playing tonight that was reviewed not too long ago by Concert Direct, joined by Triple Fast Action's bassist Kevin Tihista on keyboards. With new material in tow, lead singer and guitarist Balthazar de Ley led the appreciative crowd through their set with hard rock intelligence and polished style. Songs like "The Professor" and "Danger!Rock!Science!" from their soon to be released but not yet titled, second Capitol effort, blended seamlessly with "Stress is Best" and " Dry Heaves" from their eponymous first record. It is quite evident that the long time Menthol has spent on the road has paid off handsomely. The especially tight rhythm section of Joel Spencer on bass (and vocals) and Colin Koteles on drums, provided a rocking backdrop to de Ley's refreshingly savvy vocals while beautifully complementing them as well.

I couldn't help but notice the obvious 80's, almost New Wave influence that came from the addition of Tihista on keys, especially on "The Professor". Whether or not this translates to the new record, I'm sure the results will be well worth the wait.

Next up on this New York leg of the "Winter Dance Party" was Triple Fast Action. I always look forward to seeing TFA whenever they play here. Their cleverly crafted tunes and hard driving power chords can win over even the most jaded New York crowd. They have also built up quite a following here and spent a lot of time here while working on their first album, "Broadcaster", for Capitol Records.

"Don't Tell" and "Revved Up" from Broadcaster, opened their set followed by feedback intense versions of "Heroes", "If" and "Pure" from their most recent release "Cattlemen Don't" on Deep Elm Records. On lead guitar and vocals, Wes Kidd propels their songs from a whisper to a snarl with such effortlessness while the lyrics depict his innermost thoughts of life , love and loss. The recent, albeit temporary, addition of Local H's Scott Lucas on guitar has brought an even greater intensity to this power-pop quartet's live performance. Kevin Tihista, fresh from his Menthol set, on bass and Brian St. Claire on drums completed this perpetually impressive circle of talent. The sets last tunes, "Bearer of Bad News" , "Eurogirl" (my personal favorite) and their signature closer, "Super Star" delighted the current fans while converting the new ones.

There was only one word that kept coming up while I was doing research on yet another Chicago Band, Smoking Popes ...croon.

I had to hear it for myself, but it's true. Lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Josh Caterer doesn't so much as sing, as croon his way through the alternapop love songs from their latest Capitol release "Destination Failure" . This is not a bad thing. Joined by brothers Eli Caterer on guitar and Matt Caterer on bass, with drummer Mike Felumlee as the much loved stepchild, this family affair wooed the crowd with their heartfelt tunes performed with refreshing honesty and musicianship. "Gotta Know Right Now" from "Born To Quit" and "Paul" from Destination, were stand out pieces of sugar- coated -60's- influenced candy. Wonderfully constructed gems like "Megan", "You Spoke To Me" and "I Know You Love Me" were reminiscent of the great Bob Mould with Sugar (how appropriate) or early Marshall Crenshaw.

How these 20-something men can be as proficient as they are at their instruments while their hearts are on their sleeves is nothing short of a modern day miracle. So next time Smoking Popes are playing in your area, make it your business to go see them. And bring your better half. You'll be glad you did.

"Special thanks to John Szuch at Deep Elm, Jeff Keele and the staff of Mercury Lounge"