Morning Benders Promise New Album in 2011 at New York Gig

Near the end of a sizzling, crowd-pleasing performance Thursday night at New York's Webster Hall, Morning Benders frontman Chris Chu grabbed the microphone and, slightly out of breath, addressed the crowd. "We've done something like 12 or 13 shows in New York the past year, and you've come out to all of them," he said. "That means a lot. Sing along with us!" Roaring their approval, those in the front rows of the packed venue raised their hands in the air and reached out, straining toward the stage, their faces consumed by laughter and smiles.

With that, the Morning Benders launched into 'Excuses' from their second studio album 'Echoes,' which was released this year. The song's catchy "Da-da-da-da" chorus developed into a full-fledged sing-along that reached from corner to corner of the Hall.

As the chorus slowly faded away, drummer Julian Harmon stopped playing and leaned over his kit. He watched as guitarist/keyboardist Jon Chu, bassist Tim Or and Chris Chu each placed their instruments on the stage, kneeling over them like Jimi Hendrix at Monterey. They then fiddled with effects boxes, creating a cacophonous wall of sound that swirled around the room, immersing both people and place in a glorious, undulating noise. It soon faded away, until all that was heard were the faint echoes of the chorus, repeating over and over. When that was gone too, the band left the stage. The audience stomped, chanted whistled for more. Thankfully, the band obliged.

Taking the microphone again, Chris Chu smiled. "This is a new song.," he said. "We haven't played it very much. It's called 'Virgins.'" As the band played, the crowd swayed to the music, moving back and forth as one, following every movement of the musicians onstage.

The Brooklyn-based outfit has worked hard to nurture that give and take with their following. It's not an easy task for a relatively young band with such a unique sound, albeit one deeply rooted in '60s pop and folk with a healthy dose of hard rock and a pinch of surf. It's a fun and honest approach that hits the mark in a way that's impossible to deny: it makes you feel good.

With the gig officially over, Chris Chu addressed the assembled one last time. "We'll see you next year -- with a new album!" he said as the happy crowd filed out onto the rain-drenched street.