White Williams/Rings

Sat., Feb. 9, 9 p.m., $10, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

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Published: Feb 5, 2008

rock/pop

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If Bowie had recorded Low with Odd Nostrum as opposed to Eno and in Laurel Canyon as opposed to Berlin, it might sound like what crooner/laptop-analog-synth guy Joe "White Williams" let loose upon Smoke. It's strange, then, that audiences link Williams with the more visceral mod-mashing likes of Dan Deacon and Girl Talk (both White tour mates). Sure, there's a wry sense of humor shared amongst them (take Smoke's "Fleetwood Crack"). But Williams' sound is softer, poppier and suppler than theirs, eerier and more intricately arranged in a sonic not-so-sampled sense with guitars that chug and tug. So, how the fuck did Williams hook up with those guys? Bah. Rings is a much better match with Williams' wily tender tones. The Brooklyn trio sound like Múm when girls were still in it and have a genuine sense of excitement within its droning rocky arrangements and blip-filled interludes.

Sat., Feb. 9, 9 p.m., $10, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

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