Also this issue: Mount Vernon Blues Label hassles and sonic shifts can’t stop GFS Productions from duly appointed drum and bass rounds. -A.D. Amorosi Review: Anner Bylsma -Peter Burwasser Dave Burrell -Kyle Parker Ladytron -Paul Burress Four Tenors -Kyle Parker The Blood Brothers -A.D. Amorosi The Post -A.D. Amorosi Joe McPhee/William Parker/ Harold Smith -Kyle Parker

February 13-19, 2003

musicpicks

Bella Morte

Move over, Dave Matthews. There's another star coming out of Charlottesville, Va. Bella Morte is widely regarded as the consummate synthesis of goth, punk and synth-pop, which is probably why local label Metropolis scooped them up for their latest release, The Quiet. True to form, the core duo of Andy Deane and Gopal Metro are still cranking out catchy pieces that range a spectrum between frenetically paced synth-pop ditties and funereal dirges. Featuring the talents of both former guitarist Bn Whitlow and current guitarist Tony Lechmanski, Bella Morte builds each song into a tapestry of flowing darkness with the mainstream appeal of The Cure. The Quiet is aptly named -- it's more minimalist than their previous releases, and Deane's vocals are more finely tuned than in the past. And while their staple punk offerings are noticeably absent from this release, the overall flow of the album is less bipolar than anything Bella Morte has released in the seven years they've been together. Mellowing with age? Perhaps. But the nice thing about having such a diverse catalog is that their live shows will have a little bit of everything.

Dracula's Ball, Sat., Feb. 15, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., all ages, $13-$15, with Boole, Zozobra and DJs Chris Ewen and Kangal, Shampoo, 417 N. Eighth St., 215-922-7500.

—Helen Thompson

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