The Atomic Age Cafe is one of those lounges that was never intended to feature live music. It's long and narrow, with a bar running most of the length. The performing bands actually perform in one of the front window bays, where passersby can hear and see them play. Adds a kind of a "how much is that band in the window" feeling. The opening band was a local trio, "Dumbwaiters," consisting of Brian C. Repetto on keyboards, Jeremy King on bass and Chris Millstein on drums. The trio put out some nice alternative-garage sound rock. Not too heavy on the ears, and definitely a crowd-pleaser. Unusual for a band, this one's music is bass driven in the absence of a lead guitar, and somewhat muted keyboard play. One song, "Twentieth Century," especially stood out. Strangely enough, the drummer was also the drummer for the opening local band I had seen the night before, "Ashes of Grishum" (see concert review: "Combustible Edison") and the bass player is someone I've worked with on a daily basis, but never mentioned to me he played in a band. Small world.

During their opening set, the members of "Block," including Jamie Block, wandered the venue and readily spoke to fans, with Jamie even showing one of them his guitar, and generally being amenable, much like his personality comes across on his CD.

After a short pause to breakdown equipment, "Block" was ready to play. Trouble was the sound system wasn't quite as ready, and folks up front got a real earful. After the first few songs the band realized it wasn't going to get much better, although for most of the crowd the problem with sound quality probably wasn't as apparent as it was to the band. "Block" is a trio out of NYC led by singer/poet/acoustic guitarist Jamie Block, Mark Hutchins on drums, and Jon Abbey on bass. The band stuck pretty well with music from their new album "Timing Is Everything," which was fine with me since I enjoyed all the tracks. Opening with the jaded look at Earth as a one big mall, "Third Mall From The Sun," Jamie's voice has a kind of laid-back sarcasm tinged tone to it. Not the whine of the protesting songs of the sixties type folk rock, but rather the cynical, tired voice of someone who's seen too much, but not so far gone as to fail to see the humor in it all.

"I Call Her Vicious" followed. This is a rocking tune that sounds like it was written by a Madonna boy toy. This one has a good hook with a hint of "Wild Thing" in the opening chords. Bass player Jon rocked his way right out the front door of the Cafe during the song and entertained the small crowd outside the venue for a few moments. The obligatory road song followed, "I-95." I think every band has one of these "love them and leave them" songs in their act. The next song, "I Used To Manage PM Dawn," will be featured in the upcoming movie "Clubland," and is one of three songs from this album to be featured on movie soundtracks. This song is a sendup of that guy at the bar trying to impress the naive musicians with his savvy as he screws them. Jamie's patter is so on you'd think he was standing next to you talking. The band uses a loop that contains what seems to be the sound of a whoopee cushion in action, which didn't come through as well live, but makes the cut a gas on the album.

I'm not sure what my dad (a big Perry Como fan) would have made of "Block's" cover of his signature "Catch A Falling Star," but I'd like to think he would have enjoyed this slightly funked up version which will be on the soundtrack of the new Drew Barrymore film, "Never Been Kissed." This little upbeat song was followed by the downbeat bar lament, "Cigarettes, Prozac, And Scotch," a quick shift by Jamie in mood and inflection, and a song which the crowd picked up on.

The third track from the album to go to film, "Rhinoceros" (on "Blast From The Past" see the review in this issue), is a hook-laden rocker that is probably the most toe-tapping song they played this night, and has a great vibrato effect piece of guitar work from Jamie. The next song was one of the few songs not on the new album. I'm not sure exactly what it's titled, but it revolved around the coming of the twenty-first century and it's coming on too fast.

"The Pink House Must Burn" is one of the most enigmatic of the songs "Block" played. I'm not sure whether it's a sendup of John Mellencamp or a reference to the human body or maybe both. This was followed by a 30 second punk moment "She's Unbelievable," before segueing into "Sick Of Life," which came across with a lot of feeling as the band ends several months of touring (this was the next to last show on the current tour). Jamie told me afterwards that they will be going back out on tour again shortly, but please don't tell his wife!

The last two songs were not from the album. The first had an extended instrumental segment that had drummer Mark standing up on his seat to give it a rip roaring finale. The set ended with "Parade," and a solid round of applause from fans and those that I'm sure became new fans after a solid and entertaining performance. If you get the chance, "Rock around with Block."

Artist: BLOCK
Album: "Timing Is Everything"
Label: Capitol
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Having seen "Block" on concert, I can truthfully say that this is not a studio act, although there are enhancements on the album that you don't get live, such as the trumpet on "I Used To Manage PM Dawn" and the voice of Mrs. Miller on "Catch A Falling Star." More important, the album contains a couple of cuts that didn't make it into the live performance that are well worth listening to, especially the final cut, "Queen Of 54th Street," which is a beautiful little story put to music.

Timing is certainly everything for this band. Once people catch the band's music in various movies, there will be a lot of "Blockheads" out there. This album is a listener's delight. It will make you laugh, and depending on your mood may make you cry, but the most important mood to be in is "to buy."