I’d be the first to admit, comparisons between Tacoma and Portland — when it comes to music, politics, bike riding, public transportation, recycling and everything else — are getting a little tired.



The two places are different — and probably always will be. Portland is pretty much the hippest city in the country right now, and Tacoma, well, Tacoma isn’t.



And thank god for that.



So, even when a band like Portland’s Blue Horns come to town — bringing a sizeable amount of press generated buzz with them from the Rose City — it’s probably best to avoid direct comparisons between the town they call home and the town they’ll infect with garage-tinged pop Friday at The New Frontier Lounge.



Unless, of course, the conversation drifts in that direction. Then all bets are off.



“The crowd in Tacoma is a lot more laid back,” says Park. “There’s a general lack of pretension in Tacoma. That’s refreshing.”



It certainly is, and — truth be told — it’s one of the many reasons to love Tacoma.



But, comparisons be damned, there is plenty of reason to celebrate Portland. There’s simply not a better music scene in the country right now — possibly the world — and for Blue Horns to have worked their way to the top of PDX’s pop latter speaks volumes about the talent and potential this band possesses.



Of course, when it comes to speaking volumes about Blue Horns, the Northwest’s indie music press pretty much has that covered. Since emerging on the scene three years ago — having evolved from a previous Park band, Oh! Captain (note: not Oh Captain, My Captain) — Blue Horns, and their debut record released last November, have been treated kindly by the fickle pens of music critic’s all over our region. The Willamette Week called Blue Horns’ sound “skittering,” and “incessant,” noting the band doles out “the kind of songs that sound good on first listen but five times better after frequent spins and a few beers.”



The Portland Mercury described the band as “jangly, good-time indie rock,” going as far as to say, “Brian Park’s vocals have a joyous, snotty energy, and the whole band sounds like the soundtrack to a glorious, sun-baked Portland summer.”



Sunshine, beer, and even a little snot — all things that should go over just as well in Tacoma as the far hipper city to the south.



Park says, while there are a million bands in Portland, and at times it can be overwhelming, overall the surplus of indie music talent in the Rose City is a good thing for his Blue Horns — even if it’s also a bit challenging.



“The music scene in Portland right now is just as good as San Francisco, or New York or L.A.,” says Park. “All eyes are on Portland right now, and the press knows it.



“If you want to make a name for yourself, you’re competing against world class acts. You can’t just phone it in.”



It’s a fact Blue Horns have taken to heart. It shows in their approach and especially their music. With a gust of hype and energy behind them, and a world of possibilities in front, Friday at The New Frontier probably won’t be the last time you hear about this band.



[The New Frontier Lounge, with Hotels, Friday, Aug. 7, 9 p.m. 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]