By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com

The Two Man Gentleman Band

“Drip Dryin’”
Serious Business Records

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New York City’s The Two Man Gentleman Band recalls hot jazz, vintage blues, old-time country and vaudevillian shtick like it was the roaring ’30s all over again. But before you label the impeccably dressed and off-kilter duo of Andy Bean (banjo, vocals, trumpet, guitar, kazoo) and Fuller Condon (double bass, vocals, kazoo) as a throwback, consider the timeless qualities of their musicianship, songwriting and ability to entertain — three things that never go out of style, but are increasingly hard to find these days. “Drip Dryin’” is a feel-good party record loaded with humor and historical musical references that entertain and inform listeners about the joys of rabbit meat, drunkenness and how to “Drip dry your troubles away.” Call it a musical cure for the recession blues. CV

(The Two Man Gentleman Band plays the Vaudeville Mews on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 10 p.m. $7.)

Why Make Clocks

“These Things Are Ours”
Sleep On The Floor Records

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Eleven years after forming in Des Moines, rockers Why Make Clocks have endured several lineup changes, but the band has mostly stayed true to the Americana-indie-rock formula set forth by founding member, singer, songwriter and guitarist Dan Hutchison. The group’s third full-length recording, “These Things Are Ours,” features Hutchison (vocals, guitars, bass, percussion, microkorg) and Will Tarbox (drums, percussion, backing vocals, microkorg, keys) on 10 original songs with help from Eric Kennedy and Luke Tweedy. The album’s lead track, “Self Impressions,” a dark ballad, is perhaps the album’s lone Americana tune while the rest of the songs’ sharp, quicker beats and angular guitar riffs suggest that the band is leaning more toward indie rock. Sparks fly though when both sounds merge on the sonically charged “Sometimes,” the album’s swan song. CV

(Why Make Clocks performs Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 8:30 p.m. at the Des Moines Social Club.)

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