I went to see Devotchka perform at sum dum club here in SLC last night and want to tell you how it totally ROCKED MY LIFESTYLE. I first discovered this Denver band a few years ago when the girls and I went to what we've since termed "that one really expensive party," which we had thought was going to be a regular Warehouse Art Party like we'd been to a million times before and then shocked us when we had to PAY ACTUAL MONEY to get in the door- AT A WAREHOUSE. WHAT THE FUCK. Anyhow the party turned out to be a fundraiser and the drinks turned out to be free and most importantly the band turned out to be Devotchka!, which not only more than made up for the cost of entry, but actually revolutionized our collective Tao.
Since then I've seen Devotchka perform several times in concert, and each time the venue is a little more packed. So though I was rather wiped to be going out last night I knew I'd better grab the chance to see them play NOW, because last week they were spotlit on NPR and I know they're going to take off and get famous and soon it's going to cost more than ten dollars to check 'em. I'm glad I made it out because I definitely got my ten bucks worth and more last night; the band was spectacular as usual and I danced and danced and danced and danced. They played lots of hits from their most recent Perfect Heartache album, How It Ends, which was my breakup record for Asberger. (Did you know I had a breakup album for you, A? Remember how we had a Getting Together album, too? Remember how we let it play quietly all night long to enchant us while we slept? Do you remember how AMAZING that time was? If you don't then you have no right to get in love again ever.) How It Ends is just right for being gripped by loss, if that's the mode you're in; it's tragic and haunting and soulful and brooding and languishing in despair, not to mention peppy! and danceable!
To illustrate, I present the following word pairs fitting to Devotchka's particular mariachi/norteno/flamenco/indie gypsy effect: desperate~folksy, longing~fanfare, wistful~jubilant, stabby~hurrah! Will bring you down, but also up! Will be your under-breath internal humming soundtrack for many cloudy days!
Last night when pink-ruffled crooner Nick Urata gazed in my eyes a moment before lilting into his signature anguished falsetto on the tune "dearly departed," I became entranced, and pictured myself performing the following actions simultaneously: riding him like a tiger, slashing my jugular, and whipping the crowd into a Wild Polka Frenzy!
(I gave the frenzy a sporting shot in real life and tried to polka with every person on the dance floor. Some were receptive to these advances, others not so much.)
Anyhow it was so cathartic. I love tragedy. I love to dance. And I LOVE DEVOTCHKA. So should you. Buy their album and eat your heart out, mockingbirds.
(Coldplay: X&Y- Speed of Sound) 
(Natacha Atlas: Something Dangerous- Adam's Lullaby)