October is apparently the month of our discontent. After weeks of build-up about being excited to see Baltimore pop-punk outfit Karmella’s Game play the Rock N Roll Hotel, the band sent a note the afternoon of the show saying that, due to circumstances beyond their control (including the headliner’s broken-down van), the concert was cancelled.

I wept bitter tears. You would, too, if you’d only gotten one chance to see the band in all their harmonizing, rip-roaring, incredibly catchy glory, years ago at the Velvet Lounge, and you knew exactly what you’d be missing out on. And somehow, watching crap-quality clips of their performances on YouTube just doesn’t cut it.

But! It’s okay. I have Karmella’s Game’s latest LP, “The Art of Distraction,” to, well, distract me until I can catch them live again. The album, for those who haven’t heard it, is a polished and mature update on the relentless but often-messy and unrestrained synth-rock of their 2003 debut, “What He Doesn’t Know Won’t Hurt Him.” Basically, if you’re looking for a record that can soothe with gorgeous vocal harmonies while still totally tearing it up with high-energy synths and hooks, this is the ticket.

Photo by Flickr user miss krispah. Used with permission.