Chapel Hill
Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power
Local 506Like fellow Athens and Elephant 6 collective alumnus Of Montreal, Elf Power has broken through the runner’s wall well into its career, reaching a new level of good on last spring’s In A Cave. From organ-drenched tie-dye psych-folk (“Fried Out”) to his jangling Byrds-ian paean to the unseen power pulling him “Softly Through the Void,” frontman Andrew Rieger assembles his most striking set of songs since 1999’s A Dream In Sound. Four songs co-written with Eric Harris, formerly of Olivia Tremor Control, help the cause.
Fresh from this triumph, Elf Power backed Vic Chesnutt on the recently released Dark Developments, whose tracks were written and recorded quickly, usually within a day of each other. Vibrance bubbles from the fiery garage-psych rave-up “Little Fucker,” the loping Low-era Bowie of “Stop the Horse,” and the whimsical, handclaps and harmonies of power popper “Bilocating Dog.” Chesnutt’s hot off his own triumph, 2007’s North Star Deserter, a stunning Jem Cohen-produced collaboration with Guy Picciotto (Fugazi) and members of Thee Silver Mt. Zion. It worked so well, Chesnutt’s reprising the partnership, as recording began again in December. Both together and apart, Chesnutt and Elf Power are at the top of their game. Pay $10 at 9 p.m. Chris Parker
