I'm going out on a limb saying this (and I think the other buffaBLOGGERS who were there will probably agree with me). Last nights Cloud Nothings' show was pretty special and will probably get the vote for 2012 show of the year. Three bands. Three stunning sets including a buzz-worthy local, a surprisingly refreshing out of towner and killer headlining set. If you were there, congrats. If you weren't, you missed out.

Sleepy Hahas opened the set with their fusion of psychedelic-tinged hard rock. The band sounded extremely tight and it was evident that they practice...ALOT. The sound was great; loose and even a bit funky, led by rhythm section that locked and a singer with quite the unique voice. They had stage presence and when the heavy hit, the crowd felt it. Sleepy Hahas weren't just good for a local band. They're just plain good.

Next band up: A Classic Education. Never seen em. Never heard them. I was blown away. They reminded me of the kind of indie band Richard Linklater would champion. Eighties with a refreshingly updated sound; part Pavement, part Smiths, with the melodies and harmonies to match. The visual element was powerful too. All five members had a different image and style and oftentimes this adds to the flavor of the performance. I'm assuming you already know who Cloud Nothings is, but may have never heard A Classic Education. PLEASE check this band out.

Headliner and the band all of us were there to see, Cloud Nothings started their set with a few of their power pop numbers before diving into lengthy, expansive instrumentals. What impresses me so much about this band is their fundamental understanding of tension and release. They're masters at building a song from the toes up, and understand that age old adage that less is more (although usually they were playing more). A lot of bands just want to play loud. But if you play loud all the time, loud won't seem so powerful. The band hit all the Attack on Memory numbers I wanted to hear and then some.

CN's set was absolutely blistering in a way that made me feel good about the direction music is going. There are so many great bands that are pushing the envelope right now and taking music that traditionally existed in limited spaces, into unexplored territory. Like I said, if you weren't there, you missed out.

A special thanks to Babeville and ESI events for making this thing happen.