Ben Krieger roams the streets searching for bands that matter.

Hailing from Flanders, NJ, The Telethons celebrated the release of their new CD, The Gory Details, at the Sidewalk Cafe earlier this week. Recorded "in a living room and a basement," the 10-song release retains all the Violent Femmes fury that Antifolkers have come to know and love from this duo. What makes John Mulcahy (guitar/voice) and Mark Deocampo (drums) stand out among their peers is a rock scholar approach to songwriting. The Who and the Kinks linger within the riffage and the unexpected twists in song structure confirm their love for Andy Partridge.

The lyrics are the real treat (for audience members who can pick out the words from beneath the sheets of feedback and distortion). In his bratty holler, Mulcahy delivers stories and rants from characters who flail against the river of conformity and adulthood's abandonment of wonder. A birdwatcher laments a childhood friend who gives up the pastime for (presumably) superficial reasons; an alien abductee is presented with a stifling virtual reality with tempting material comforts; singers in several admit that they really don't have much to say (or play). For every critical stab the Telethons make at run-of-the-mill songwriters ("Chord Chord Other Chord"), they provide an inventive composition as an inspiring alternative to the norm ("Forcefield"). This is one of the most talented acts to be embraced by the Antifolk scene in a long time. At this show, the Telethons were supported by three incredibly talented live acts: Soft Black, Mike Baglivi and the Elastic No-No Band.