September 11-17, 2003

musicpicks

Dressy Bessy

Rock/pop

They're a pop band, plain and simple. But underneath that umbrella, Denver indie darlings Dressy Bessy have remarkable range, shown off through two full-lengths on Kindercore Records this year. Released in March, Little Music: Singles 1997-2002 collects focus cuts, compilation spots and a couple three-track demos. True to its title, this older material is overwhelmingly twee, with perky synthesizers, chimey guitar and saccharin singing by Tammy Ealom. The blend is addictive, but perhaps toned down by rough recording. On the other hand, DB's self-titled new album released last month sounds crisp and rocks hard. The synth is gone, guitars are beefier -- adding muscle to the '60s rock-song structure -- and Ealom's voice leaps from deadpan to pissed. Then again, the polish might be layered on a bit too heavy at times. In the end, it's debatable which set winds up on top; the merits of lo-fi Dressy versus hi-fi Bessy could be argued until closing time. But there is no fi at The Khyber, so when DB rolls through tomorrow night, we'll be left with songcraft, hooks and simple, fun, rock 'n' roll.

Fri., Sept. 12, 9 p.m., $10, with Dame Fate, Breaker! Breaker!, Kitty Kat Dirt Nap, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

—John Vettese

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