“The combination of Logan Lynn and Cars & Trains playing together at the Doug Fir last Thursday was as fresh as I’d hoped, and The Gentry added an element of power. The show represented the Portland showcase of Lynn’s already nationally acclaimed fourth album, From Pillar to Post, and the debut of Cars & Trains’ sophomore album, The Roots, The Leaves, which comes out on January 24th. The Gentry, now sharing backup duty for Logan with Cars & Trains, showcased this new synthesis last week as well.

The performance, with Lynn backed by Cars & Trains, was honest and a little gritty but fresh, while at the same time evoking a throwback to Mates of State’s My Solo Project. Lynn’s soulful, slightly melancholy vocals were contrasted with happier, upbeat backup, creating a push-pull phenomenon, which gave the music depth and interest. The sound this duo produces is more than superficial–you have to think deeper to get it as a whole, which is refreshing, and likely why it’s frequently awarded the emotronic title–emotionally open, complexly happy-sad.

At the end of the show The Gentry joined the rest of the musicians on stage for a finale. While The Gentry opened the night with their own set of sucker punching beat-infused rock, they closed by backing Lynn and changing the overall story. The combo of Lynn and Cars & Trains says, “Here are some painful things, but what the fuck, let’s dance it off!” The combo of Lynn and The Gentry says, “Here are some painful things, let’s break a hoe… what?” Exhibit A: What one does. Exhibit B: What one’s Id would do. The whole experience left the audience eerily aware of Lynn’s inner workings, which I think is why he’s so relatable.”

“Logan Lynn, Cars & Trains, and The Gentry: Gently electrifying the Doug Fir: If you think the new year should bring new music, then don’t miss this show tomorrow night at the Doug Fir. Logan Lynn just released his fourth album, From Pillar to Post, and will play as the night’s headliner alongside The Gentry’s intriguing mix of lyrical pondering and head bopping, shoulder popping beats. Lynn is already getting national press for the album, and tomorrow’s show will be Portland’s first taste of the live, two-band synthesis.

Cars & Trains artist Tom Filepp will showcase his sophomore offering, The Roots, The Leaves, which comes out January 24th. Portland is already buzzing about the album with its unique soundscapes, which include many local artists as guest vocalists, toy instruments, and tape samples. With theses new albums full of sounds that braid electronica, folk, pop, hip-hop, and rock together, these bands really will give us the gift of new music. Doors at 8 p.m., Show at 9 p.m. Thursday, January 7, Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside, 503-231-WOOD, $6 at the door.

Logan Lynn, The Gentry, Cars & Trains / $6-

[PET SHOP SOUNDS] While recently released fourth album From Pillar To Post piles up critical accolades and new video “Bottom Your Way to the Top” strokes cable playlists from MTV to, um, Spike, Logan Lynn’s tunefully bleeped singer-songwriterly electro ballads haven’t been heard live ‘round the icon’s hometown for months. This performance reportedly marks Lynn’s debut with a live backing band (openers the Gentry), though, set against the vocals’ honeyed melancholia, beats were never the point.