Saturday, May 8: The Nextdoor Neighbors

Le Voyeur Cafe and Lounge

By Jason Baxter on May 5, 2010

This girl-girl duo - who rose to prominence through 2008's EMP Sound Off! Competition - deserves better than the "folktronica" label and the Tegan & Sara comparisons that are typically lobbed in their direction. The band's marginally-twee electro is totally economical, with no wasted sonic space; the beats are heavy and ably-crafted but not distracting, and well complemented by sharp lyrics and competent vocals. Though they're a relatively young band, The Nextdoor Neighbors have an impressive handle on production. Their full-length Magic Vs. The Machine boasts a terrific mix, and juxtaposes electronic and acoustic sounds (djembe drums, even) to great effect. They might have more accurately called their record "Magic and the Machine" or "Magic in the Machine," because the synthesis works like gangbusters.

[Le Voyeur, with Height, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. East, Olympia, 360.943.5710]