It seems that I never get around to writing about the shows that I like best. Whenever I find myself first writing about a gig two months after the fact, I know I must have really loved that show. So, here's some love:

The night began with The Flaming Ghoulies. Is the quintet a combination of '70s cartoon bubblegum band The Groovie Goolies and the '70s power pop of The Flamin' Groovies? Maybe. Maybe not. But the act does recall power pop from peak Elvis Costello to The Posies-led revival in the '90s. One cut dug back into the '50s for an homage to Brian Wilson. The cover of "Da Doo Ron Ron" revealed more about the players' obsessions. That's all I'm going to say about the group for now other than noting that I'm ready for more.

Freezing Hands from Tucson played. More glorious power pop, with most of it trending toward '90s rock. Those three-part harmonies rang out Teenage Fanclub-style. Good breaking vocals. Snapping drums from an active drummer with odd posture. Rhodes-like keys from a Nord synth. Lots of personality and banter. "I Was a Teenage Piece of Shit" got the audience going. The band closed with "The Imploding Mime" from (what was then) its upcoming album. I made a note to buy it. I didn't, but I suppose that I still have time.

Seattle's Scott Yoder followed in quartet form. '60s psych and '70s glam mingled for most of the set. Some of it slowed to mimic sunshine pop. Some of it featured acoustic guitar. Some of it was rife with tambourine. Yoder's voice was always out front, but his style was even louder. He dedicated a song to "those in the mountain – not just those who live on the mountain." Someone in the audience shouted, "I love those f*ckers!" in reply. I laughed. Yoder elevated his set with animated dance moves, Van Dyke beard, custom lights he could stomp on to activate, and fog that rolled across the stage. Neither of us will want to miss him if he ever comes through again.

Then it was The Whiffs. You know them, right? Robust '70s skinny-tie power pop done better than any other band going? Maybe done better than any of the originals ever did? Zach's scream in "Wanted" was exquisite. When they played "On the Boulevard" the girls in the crowd started dancing and they never let up. But most of the set was new stuff scheduled for an upcoming album that can't come soon enough. For months locals have heard the songs go from rough to ready, and now it's time to turn them into fan favorites. I already can't get enough of Rory's "I'll Be There (Anytime at All)."

And that's the paradox of Too Much Rock: the fewer the words and the later they come, the better the show. This one, therefore, was obviously all aces.