Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC

Critic's Pick: The Weepies

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Aug. 31, 2011

The Weepies are American counterparts to the Swell Season. Like the European stars of Once, Deb Tallen and Steve Tannen had launched solo careers before meeting at a Boston bar a decade ago and uniting in a supple folk-pop duo. The shared craft sparked romance and, unlike the Swell Season, they remain a couple. Their songs are generally driven by major chord acoustic melodies with tender boy/girl harmonies and surprising texture that differentiates them from your typical folk outfit. (They make subtle but effective use of backing instrumentation across their four albums.) Indeed at times they’ll even rock out, as on slinky garage rave-up “How Do You Get High?” off their latest, Be My Thrill. It demonstrates their continued musical evolution while retaining the homey, affectless intimacy and the gosh-darn sweetness of those initial efforts. For this special performance they’ve eschewed the band, paring down to a trio with acoustic guitars, dulcet vocals and upright bass. (Chris Parker)

Fri., Sept. 2, 8pm. $17. Theater of the Living Arts, 334 South St. 215.922.1011. tlaphilly.com