"as mentioned a few posts back":http://venuesandvolume.blogspot.com/2006/09/ballin-with-rocknrollers.html, i went to see the format at irving plaza. they had quite a queue of artists playing before them, two of which were anathallo and rainer maria. i was lucky enough to get there early to catch the very first act that night, a band by le nom de notre temps existentiel, "street to nowhere":http://streettonowhere.com, from oakland, ca. i was instantly won over; despite being a starter, they had the audience by the throat-- myself included. considerably intrigued by their overtly honest lyrics mixed with a great acoustic quality and a nervously angsty voice ringing it all true through the speakers, i vowed that i would get to know this band.granted, it took me awhile. everyone ended up at "shades of green":http://shadesofgreenpub.com. i shared a few compliments and some eye contact with the band members, but i never really bothered to get more of an impression on them, even though i thought they were pretty cool guys. it wasn't until i bought a ticket to an upcoming kevin devine show that i recalled them. as they were playing on this bill as well, i decided to take up my past initiative and buy their album.best.decision.ever.charmingly awkward has been playing non-stop since i received it last week. the songs are simple enough to catch the minimalist in me, but occasionally it will break into ecstatic ballad vocals and rock-out riffs that get me soaring at the same time. ranging from self-loathing to humourously self-deprecating to political, the songs broach quite a few topics, although it mainly centers around booze, sex (or the lack thereof), and, of course, being charmingly awkward.yeah, i definitely know what that's like.if you feel the need to see what's up, check out "boxcars boxcars boxcars," on their "myspace page":http://myspace.com/streettonowhere, as it gives a pretty good idea of what this group is about. while each song is my favourite in its own little way, the tracks i have had on repeat consistently are "waste my life for you" for its cheeky chasing amy potential, and "you can't go to sleep" which borders on 20-something-emotionless-revulsion... but that's how we do. however, you'll have to shell out some dough for the album and support these guys to hear those. so go do that-- right now.they'll be back in nyc come december, playing with matt pond pa, kevin devine, and straylight run at bowery. buy a ticket. support a band (or four). hang out with me. i'll buy you a beer and probably sing some lyrics in your face. sounds good, right?you probably won't regret it./jen/