The Portland Mercury  Friday March 14, 2008

THE CROSSWALKS, DAN JONES & THE SQUIDS, SILVERHAWK

(Kelly’s Olympian, 426 SW Washington) Local pop-rock trio the Crosswalks purvey a hook-heavy, sugar-rush brand of cheer. With simple garage band arrangements and melodies that climb all over you like little kittens, they’re a reminder of why most people listen to music—because it’s fun, damn it. Guitarist Brendan McCracken, bassist Emily Vidal, and drummer Dave Shur all swap lead vocal duties, so the band sounds like a genuine collaboration of three equals, as opposed to the traditional model of some dude and his ego slapping on a guitar while backed by patient, suffering, talented acquaintances. What’s more, the Crosswalks’ music couldn’t be more inviting; it feels like a warm hug from that one friend who bakes you bread, and always remembers that you don’t like it with raisins. And you can dance to it, too. So, go see the Crosswalks. They will scratch itches you didn’t know you had. NL