By: Stephanie Konarski

Rating: 7/11

The XYZ Affair, not the 1797 diplomatic episode between the United States and France but the Brooklyn based power-pop band of a 90’s persuasion, specializes in catchy hooks that get feet tapping. They sound like Weezer, Queen and The New Pornographers mixed into one, their well produced music a nice departure from the many lo-fi bands that have emerged in the Brooklyn indie scene lately. Their songs are accessible, mostly sticking with a standard pop structure of verse-chorus-verse-chorus. However, the tunes are anything but boring, mixing dynamic vocal climaxes with post punk riffs and booming drums. The music is boisterous and brash with melodic twists and turns and changes in tempo. And if you were a kid in the early 90’s and want a hit of nostalgia, check out their music video “All My Friends.” You’ll be reunited with classic characters form old school Nickelodeon, like Double Dare’s Mark Summers, along with hearing a good song.