MinneapolitanMusic

As anyone who attends shows with me will know: I am not a dancer. All too often, I go to shows strictly to review them, and usually keep my coat on and a notebook and pen in my hands at all times (which leaves very little room for any kind of tail-feather shaking or even excessive head nodding and bouncing).

Every once in a great while, though, I get to a show and the music is so catchy, so irresistibly rhythmic and fun that my coat flies off and I find myself smack dab in the middle of the dance floor boogying uncontrollably to the music, regardless of who is watching or how hard it is to take notes and shake ass simultaneously. On every occasion that I have seen the TV Sound perform live, I have been pulled out of my shell and thrust into the squirming crowd of fashionistas and fans that make up the TV Sound audience – and every time it has been really, really fun.

So I am looking forward to the TV Sound show on Friday at the Varsity, which celebrates the release of their first full length album. The eponymous disc is packed full of the same kinds of funky bass lines, hooky melodies and perfectly timed, 80s-prom-meets-timeless-and-catchy-pop satisfaction that their live shows always deliver.

The record begins with their most recognizable tune, “Starlight,” which has been getting a good rotation on 89.3 The Current. The song features lead singer Steve Hutton’s signature soaring vocals and a pulsating, hip-shaking good bass line from Max Mileski. It is fair to say that the sound of the TV Sound is a throwback to the feel-good sunshine funk of the best 80s pop songs, but the band manages to craft their influences into something contemporary and unique.

Songs like “Morningstar” delve deeper into the TV Sound’s knack for syncopation, showered with decidedly star-like keyboard parts and driven by popping, funky bass that would make Prince proud and Molly Ringwald elated.

Hearing the songs come to life in a live setting is a fabulous experience, and not just because of the aforementioned feverish ass wiggling. The band is extremely stylish (their set at Voltage: Fashion Amplified, 2005 converged their love of music and fashion with outfits designed by Hutton) and fun to watch, and their music is so warm and inviting that it makes the listener feel welcome and a little bit hip just for being there.

The CD release party on Friday features a great lineup of equally-sunshiney pop acts, with White Light Riot and This World Fair opening. It’s guaranteed to be a great night of local music. Plus, it's sponsored by HowWasTheShow, so it is a chance to catch me simultaneously dancing and pimping the website. Yes!