Despite my best efforts, I had never seen Hop Along before last night. I’ve enjoyed the music they’ve been releasing since I heard about them a few years ago. For whatever reason I just could never make it to a show. I’m glad I finally rectified that, because Frances Quinlan’s vocals live are even better than they are on the records.

Touring in support of their latest album, Bark Your Head Off, Dog, the band dedicated about half the set to those songs. It was just released in April, so if you haven’t heard it go check it out. The song “Not Abel” is a particularly fine tune. The rest of the show was split between Disowned and Painted Shut.

Hop Along is hitting a bunch of cities this summer, so go to their website for info on the tour. Chances are they will be somewhere near you if you’re in the US or, in the fall, the UK and western Europe. You can also buy the newest album from Saddle Creek on vinyl, CD, or cassette here.