The Wrens @ Middle East Downstairs

Killer show at the Middle East Downstairs last night, my third Wrens concert in as many years. They opened with a new song, presumably from their upcoming album, then launch into some Meadowlands goodness. "This Boy is Exhausted" kicks off the set, then followed up with "Happy", "Per Second Second", "Built-in Girls" and "Won't Get Too Far" (from Secaucus), "Everyone Chooses Sides", "Hopeless", and finishing with a frenetic "Faster Gun". Highlights: a hushed duet on "The House That Guilt Built" in between songs; a whooping, sweaty Kevin Whelan hopping around stage and licking the face of guitarist Charles Bissell (somewhat to Charles' dismay); the big audience-sing-along for the beginning of "Everyone Chooses Sides"; the band pulling up about 20 people from the front row to play various percussion parts and sing along to "Boys You Won't" and then allowing them to stay for the rest of the show; some random drunk guy (who may or may not have known the band) invited up between songs to give a shoutout to Dan Bayer, and his girlfriend who should "just fucking call me".
They tore the place up, it was amazing. They're the greatest thing to come out of New Jersey.