Photo by Valerie Paschall

In 2008, the dissolution of power-pop duo Georgie James was a pretty big downer for fans of local music. However, in 2012, it appears that it was the best creative decision for both parties. John Davis has released two albums full of airtight catchy tunes as Title Tracks that put other attempts at power pop to shame. Meanwhile, Laura Burhenn’s stylistic soul searching resulted in the folk-cum-gospel gems of What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood and the funkier stomps on Generals. Burhenn’s last showing at the Backstage with The Mynabirds was a welcome home party in a room of friendly well-wishers. Such an environment allowed Burhenn to stumble greenly through her insecure and unpolished moments to the thunderous applause of people just thrilled to see her again.

Saturday night’s show on the mainstage, on the other hand, stood as proof of how much Burhenn has grown within this outfit. Burhenn stood tall and confident, taking ownership of the stage in a way that she never has. (Okay, admittedly her leopard print heel boots may have helped with the “tall” part.) Her smoky alto sounded at home with bluesy keyboards and funky electric guitars, and her sweeping crescendos hit the back of the room immediately with opener “Karma Debt.” Although the mood of her music shifted from bouncy with “Let the Record Go” to downtrodden with the aching “Give It Time,” there was considerably more soulful stomping—and it made for a more interesting show. By the time she hit the encore with “Generals” and asked for the audience to sing the call and response, everyone was firmly with her.

Her opener, Sean Bones, was as irritating as the Mynabirds were exciting. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a Jimmy Buffett album or two in your record collection. However, trying to bring Buffett-esque beach stylings to spruce up middle-of-the-road indie rock is never a good stylistic decision. Just in case there was any doubt that this was what they were trying to do with their Caribbean inspired keyboard riffs, there was an LED palm tree onstage, the kind of cheap prop that belongs at an “Under the Sea” junior prom. At best these guys sounded like Vampire Weekend lite and at worst like they’re training to be the band you see at a hotel at an ocean resort town. Skip them.