Long before Vampire Weekend began making overtures to Afropop, L.A.s Dengue Fever were infusing indie rock with 60s Cambodian psych, of all things. Singer Chhom Nimol is the key to the six-pieces mind-bending tunes, although the balmy presence of organ and horns enhances the diverse powers of the guitar, bass, and drums. Following a promising pair of albums, Dengue Fever signed to Peter Gabriels Read World label for 2008s Venus On Earth, its first album including English lyrics as well as Nimols native Khmer. This year then brought Sleepwalking Through The Mekong a CD/DVD documenting an emotional 2005 Cambodian tour and Metallicas Kirk Hammett recently named the bands six-minute-plus burner One Thousand Tears Of A Tarantula the second best song of the decade. All of which positions the band for a wider breakout with its next proper album. Until then, Dengue Fever will continue to make the most of its unlikely niche. With Lushy, Darek Mazzone. DOUG WALLEN
Sun., Jan. 10, 8 p.m., 2010
