Bishop Allen

Justin Rice and Christian Rudder of Brooklyn’s Bishop Allen both moonlight as actors in their spare time – most notably, both appeared in last year’s otherwise-awful Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. It follows appropriately, then, that the duo’s ultrahip music is perfect for scoring a cute indie film – kicky, catchy, and generally cheery. Their newest album, the puzzlingly titled Grrr…, proves that Bishop Allen has a definite handle on pop music and its broad appeal. The record is packed with swingy bass lines, soft shakes and innocuous melodies sung in Rice’s charming tenor, and whether the songs are addressing existential crises (as on “Dimmer” – “Am I dimmer everyday?/ Am I just a little glimmer/ Like a tiny bobbing head of an ocean swimmer?”) or sweet romances (as on “True or False,” an adorable love song about taking your shoes off and having tea with your lover), they’re all undeniably hooky and winsome – it’s truly music for the masses. With Throw Me the Statue, Darwin Deez. Photo courtesy Sebastian Mlynarski. E. THOMPSON
Sat., Nov. 7, 9 p.m., 2009