Treasure Mammal kicked this cynic’s ass twice. That guy brings a small community church service with his two mics and speed skating-inspired wardrobe. I don’t know much about the man behind the mammal, other than he released a split 7″ with waify guitar anti-hero Whitman, teaches school when it’s not summer and is an all around good guy. I saw his tour stop in Houston, and though the crowd wasn’t as stylistically dressed as the Smell’s this past Friday, the Mammal got Houstonians sweatin’ it up!  His lo-fi electrodance is just dope enough to share an honest message of hope and joy in spite of this sick world without being disingenuous. Let me run down the rest o’ this bill so you can be informed of the awesome:  I.E.: One woman, one beat, one love, plenty of LEDs. Captain Ahab: intense duo of dancer and laptop madman. No Paws (No Lions) ferocious powerpop with a microkorg. And to recap: Treasure Mammal is a winner.

– Rich Seymour