The Octopus Project played at Chop Suey on Tues., August 18, 2009.

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The Octopus Project played at Chop Suey on Tues., August 18, 2009. The summer before my junior year of college was spent taking classes on a near deserted campus. It was then that I met and soon began dating a guy named Brandon. We had absolutely nothing in common except a passion for good music. Needless to say, the relationship fizzled by the time fall semester started. But not before he introduced me to The Octopus Project’s One Ten Hundred Thousand Million (2005). I instantly fell in love with the experimental pop album. The Octopus Project excels at creating hook-driven melodies that stick in your brain. Who needs lyrics? A well-played theremin is more haunting than a few words of sentiment anyday. The Austin hailing quartet took the stage at Chop Suey last night to perform one of the most playful and whimsical shows the city has seen this summer. The 60-minute set pulled from the band’s last three albums and recently released EP Golden Beds. The four members frequently switched instruments with one another–something they’re known to do during live performances–to show off their versatile skills. But the highlights came when they stuck with their primary instruments. Case point: Yvonne Lambert was enchanting as hell while operating the theramin on “Rorol.” And the guys were more fun to watch pummeling and sweating through tracks like “Music is Happiness” on bass and drums. Their enormous sound filled every available space in the venue–something that had to be done, given the limited attendance. It was surprising, given the band’s got a diehard fan following and solid online presence.The Octopus Project deserves to headline and fill the Showbox. But I selfishly want them to stay exactly where they are, as it reminds me of when I was first introduced to them and felt as though their music belonged to only me and one other person.