Door Re Me

Steve Rullman continues his run as one of the area's most consistently creative talent scouts. Thanks to Rullman's wandering eye and good taste, the Western Massachusetts-based Red Door Exchange is making a three-date run through South Florida this week. RDE plays the kind of smirking, intimate rock that made Sebadoh...

By Jonathan Zwickel

February 23, 2006

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Steve Rullman continues his run as one of the area's most consistently creative talent scouts. Thanks to Rullman's wandering eye and good taste, the Western Massachusetts-based Red Door Exchange is making a three-date run through South Florida this week. RDE plays the kind of smirking, intimate rock that made Sebadoh and Yo La Tengo perennial faves of thinking-people's-rock types. Sure, it's emotional, but don't call it emo. And yes, it's quirky and lofty, but don't call it twee. These guys (and a girl) balance a pop-songwriting sensibility with a deft instrumental imagination, puncturing brash fuzz guitar with pin-prick piano, swerving from pounding rock riffs into swaying choral harmonies. Subtle layers of percussion, electronic flourish, and wah-wah guitar add atmosphere; songs unfold with multiple movements, like ambitious micro-operas. It ain't easy music to classify, which is just the way the art-school kids and fuzzy-sweater set like it. And you should too.

Red Door Exchange plays at 9 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, at Alligator Alley, 1321 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. This show is free. Call 954-771-2220. RDE also plays with Skyline Drive and the Bikes at 8 p.m. Thursday, February 23, at Respectable Street Café, 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Tickets cost $8, and the show is all-ages. Call 561-832-9999. RDE's last South Florida show is at 9 p.m. Friday, February 24, at the Wallflower Gallery, 10 NE Third St., Miami. Tickets cost $8. Call 305-579-0069.

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