Also this issue: Lefty Hooks Lefty’s Deceiver picks up new tricks and throws down the rock on Cheats. -John Vettese The Folksman The music world pays tribute to Philadelphia’s living legend Gene Shay. -Mary Armstrong Mallard Rising Synth music avatar David Borden updates the Moog cookbook. -A.D. Amorosi Haley Bonar -M.J. Fine Mastodon -Paul Burress Fruit Bats -Sam Adams Adrian Crowley -Sam Adams The Party of Helicopters -John Vettese

May 8-14, 2003

musicpicks

Mary Bichner

"Perfect pitch" sorta means you can see the code, Matrix-style. Those endowed with it are able to name a note just by hearing it. Some say it’s a myth. Mail-order courses claim they can teach it. Philly singer/songwriter Mary Bichner says she’s got it. And she’s using her special powers for her "Radiohead for the Pianoforte" project, wherein she hand-transcribes "Karma Police," "Idioteque," etc. as keyboard scores and posts them on her site (www.littlerowboat.net). Bichner also says she’s a "polymodal synesthete," which means certain colors pop into her head when she hears certain notes. (It’s probably like going to Laser Floyd every day.) Of course, Bichner would just be a biological curiosity to be studied by science if she weren’t also an impressive and promising young artist. Her self-titled demo -- three songs surging with Tori-Fiona-Shannon Wright moaning vocals and ghostly piano -- hits its peak on the stormy "Media Darling," a captivating dirge about the doomed girlfriend of an overnight-sensation rock star. Bichner’s own success story has yet to be written, but you have to like her chances. Remember Mary: There is no spoon.

The Philadelphia Songwriters Project presents Amos Lee, Adrien Reju, Keith Bennett, Mary Bichner and CowMuddy, Sun., May 11, 7 p.m., $8, Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-563-4330, ext 3.

—Patrick Rapa