The Posies played like they had something to prove at Jimmy’s a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anyone there to prove it to. Having just released their second major label album, they seemed to have enough energy to tour for the next year. Instead, without much advance publicity, they were playing an over-priced, bizarre one-off industry showcase. Besides the drunk and oblivious industry types schmoozing in the back, only about thirty people, all crammed to the front of the stage, were there to listen. What they got was a far cry from the Posies’ previous album and sound. 1990’s Dear 23 was a unique slice of Hollies-flavored alternative pop. Atmospheric, with lots of acoustic guitars, the album was even sort of pleasingly wimpy at times. Since the band hails from Seattle, one could only expect their sound to get harder in the last couple years. The new album, Frosting on the Beater (produced by indie fave Don Reming), doesn’t disappoint. Although the overall sound is much heavier on guitar (and therefore more generic college rock-sounding), the marvelous melodies and harmony work of co-singer/songwriter/guitarists Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer still ring true.

Live, the band’s sound was powerful, guitars overdriving but never overpowering the full and intricate vocal harmonies. Standout songs were the Blue Oyster Cult-reminiscent “Dream All Day,” their first single, and “Flavor of the Month,” perhaps a reference to some of their more renowned hometown colleagues. The Posies had just participated in a Big Star reunion concert, and even though Alex Chilton was in the house, an encore of his “Feel,”—and guitarist Jon Auer’s walk through the club, shouting “Alex!”—couldn’t coax Mr. Chilton on stage. And although they did ignore a request for Dear 23‘s “Golden Blunders” (which Ringo Starr covered on his latest album), no one left too disappointed from what was essentially a private party with the Posies.