Capitol Hill Block Party: Menomena

 

Menomena are way louder than I ever would've guessed. Their broken-down pop anthems are anchored by busy drums and gut-busting bass. The calm vocals are like a still buoy in a thrashing sea, which is cool, but I'm not sure the rest of the audience is feeling it. They responded more when one of the dudes got a box of condoms dumped on his head than when the band played "Wet and Rusting." This is all very surprising.

-- Jeff Reguilon