When it comes to bands named for 18th century diplomatic debacles, Brooklyn's the XYZ Affair easily make our top ten. JK they win. They're best remembered for corralling our favorite Nickelodeon all-stars for their "All My Friends" clip, but have steadily and surgically released a stream of quality singles and EPs since. The two tracks that come today up the ante considerably, though, timed with a Mondays residency at Pianos through May. It's a good live show. Dance moves are involved.
The first of the Summer Jams is the breezy throwback "No One That You Love Will Will Ever Die" (not true), Sting and MJ in the lyrics, soul in the falsetto, produced by Ben Allen aka the man who brought the underwater bunker vibe to Merriweather Post Pavilion. The Kelly Clarkson/New York Dolls/Pixies-referencing "Sock You In The Face With Love" is even better/sexier, recorded with an assist from Longwave's Shannon Ferguson. This one's locked into a more hormonal groove, shades of Pinkerton in the opening verse, warbly synths lifted from YYYs' "Down Boy," and a typically punchy hook with lyrics that are a little punchy in an unfortunately domestic violence-y way. Lead XYZer Alex Feder assured us preemptively: "That is most certainly not what it is about." It's more of a figurative socking in the face. Be Frank Black, he'll be Black Francis:
The XYZ Affair - "Sock You In The Face With Love" (MP3)
The XYZ Affair - "No One That You Love Will Ever Die" (MP3)
Stepping up, romance and fucking, welcome to summer. Oh My Rockness! is sponsoring this run at Pianos, with a D.C. show thrown in for good measure. Last time I saw them, XYZ did a killer "Take Me Home." Request it.
05/11 - New York, NY @ Pianos (w/ Action Painters)
05/18 - New York, NY @ Pianos (w/ Maricopa)
05/21 - Washington, D.C. @ The Black Cat Backstage (w/Deleted Scenes)
05/25 - New York, NY @ Pianos (w/ 350 Duo, Jones Street Station, Mieka Pauley)
