The Atomic Swindlers - most of them, anyway - are running neck and neck with their past. The band is releasing new material in conjunction with New Math, a band The Swindlers' bassist, drummer, and guitarist came from 25 years ago. It's an interesting parallel, as both bands invoke an epic ethos in their music. The band made its Lovin' Cup debut Friday night, and, as is usually the case with the group, inspired a mixture of wonder and confusion in the audience. That's a result of how the band carries itself within the context of its music, and the context of the crowd. I like that; keep 'em guessing. True entertainment should have some edges.

The root of this dichotomy is The Atomic Swindlers' singer April Laragy, truly a vocal giant in her technique, phrasing, range, and tone. Her presence dominates as well: she is undeniable and unavoidable. And yes, the tight t-shirts don't hurt. Laragy rolls atop the band's celestial sound. It's beautifully mystifying. But the band - though I'm sure it could if it wanted to - doesn't necessarily present the songs as parts of a whole concept, but rather as little trips to the sun. In between it's back to Earth with Laragy's between-song banter that resurrects the ghosts of Henny and Shecky and Rodney. I love it.

Friday's show was even more grandiose on the musical end, with the addition of a six-piece string section that laid a heartbreaking bed for the band's beautiful take on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."

The Village Gate Atrium hosted the annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash with hosts HUNU? on Saturday night. I had the pleasure of rubbing elbows with some of Rochester's roots-rock elite, especially show stealers The Horse Lovers, whose guitarist Phil Marshal had the best guitar tone ever. I wanna f**k the way his guitar sounds.

On the other end of the spectrum was the raw and rockin' set of rock from The Enablers. This is a relatively new three-piece band that plays music from my happy place. The band mixed New York punk-charged originals along with sweet shots of The Kinks and The Velvet Underground. Sure, I like to get out there and expand the coconut some - it's my job, and I love it. But at the end of the day it's back to three chords and the truth.