THE WORKING GIRLS ARE FINE: The Pernice Brothers, Johnny Brenda’s, December 7th
EVA SAYS: Once again I am the youngest person in the crowd, but like with the Bob Pollard or Randy Newman concerts, I take it as a sign of good things come to those who grow old. And Johnny Brenda’s has already won me over as a patron, so all odds are working in favor of the Pernice Brothers. In fact, it seems almost automatic- when Joe Pernice opens the set with his wonderful whine, I sway and shuffle in sync with each song like every one is a warm familiar friend that I’ve lost touch with over the years. Like Wilco, Guided By Voices, The Cure and I were meeting together for coffee. It’s the kind of music you listen to when you’ve had a good day, when you’re not already pissed off or threatened by something like traffic. And there’s something about the way Joe Pernice closes his eyes when he sings that makes the guy behind me whisper ?wow? after each song. Those round eyes crease and wrinkle every so slightly around the corners and droop with a world-weary sadness, giving him a look so genuine and thoughtful, they render every gorgeously melancholy song utterly convincing. A- [FLICKR]