Vivian Girls at the Middle East Upstairs, 5/10

As much as a deterrent as Pitchfork approval may be for some—if an incentive for others—the Vivian Girls certainly proved their might and originality in a sea of fuzz-adoring, creatively-challenged contenders Sunday night. Armed with a baker's dozen songs, the trio took off with "All The Time" and the Middle East was immersed in the neo-60s surf-grunge that made the band's self-titled debut so appealing. Though frontwoman Cassie Ramone's vocals were nearly impossible to hear, the band's stage presence was surprisingly endearing. Bassist Kickball Katy joyfully bounced around stage, creating an excellent juxtaposition against Ali Koehler's blistery drumming and Ramone's stoic guitar playing.

The group swiftly guided the audience through a set that included a couple of new tunes sandwiched between songs featured on the much-celebrated Vivian Girls LP. Though the album clocks in at just over twenty-one minutes, the band members managed to fill out an entire forty-five minute set without dragging their feet, or the audience members'. The act closed with a jam that saw the band members switching instruments and drawing the two-minute "Damaged" into a droney ten-minute opus that left this Bostonist's ears ringing long after the group shyly thanked the audience and left the stage. Though most of the crowd barely shook anything in the neighborhood of a hip the whole time, it was clear from many an unblinking eye that the Vivian Girls' loud, solid set made stillness enjoyable.