One very cold night in Chicago last February, my mom, aunt, cousin, and I braved the elements to see a show at the Subterranean, a venue courting the Windy City’s punks and hipsters. There’s something special about watching women in their mom-jeans and turtlenecks politely refusing to sell their tickets to desperate, tattooed, face-pierced fans. At the heart of this twisted peace-on-earth intergenerational moment was Seattle’s Tullycraft, who release their fifth album, Every Scene Needs a Center, tonight. Tullycraft has been unapologetically twee for more than a decade [the sub-headline refers to their indie-name-dropping hit which champions The Halo Benders over the Breeders—Ed]. Their last album, 2005’s Disenchanted Hearts Unite, featured the usual listener-friendly chords and quirky lyrics, and added Jenny Mears on backup vocals with many a “Woo-ooo” for all-ages-approved pop sing-a-long fun. For Every Scene, bassist and vocalist Sean Tollefson says he told the band to write songs “as if we were a small-town theater group.” The result: tunes with names like “Georgette Plays a Goth.” Their music may not be revolutionary, but Tullycraft’s joyous tone and energetic live show make for a damn good time—bring your mom. With Math & Physics Club and Patience Please (CD release).

Thu., Oct. 18, 9 p.m., 2007